Announcement: New York Giants emerge favorites as they close in on deal to sign $160 million veteran quarterback

It’s no secret that the New York Giants’ top priority this offseason is finding a franchise quarterback.

New York moved on from quarterback Daniel Jones last season after the former first round draft pick’s struggles continued upon his return from the torn ACL he suffered in 2023.

The expectation is that the Giants will select a quarterback in the 2025 NFL Draft (New York has the No. 3 overall pick in the draft).

Another possibility is that the Giants add a veteran quarterback to the roster this offseason as a “bridge” quarterback.

One option that could make sense, according to CBS Sports, is Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford.

On Tuesday, CBS Sports named the Giants as a logical landing spot for Stafford this offseason.

Stafford, the No. 1 overall selection in the 2008 NFL Draft, has two years remaining on his contract. The Rams, however, could choose to move on from the 37-year-old quarterback this offseason (via trade or release) without facing harsh financial ramifications.

CBS Sports pointed out that New York recently hired Stafford’s brother-in-law, Chad Hall, as their new assistant quarterbacks coach.

This would be a dream scenario for the Giants. And it’s a scenario I think they should pursue — even if they select a quarterback in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft.

For starters, I don’t love the idea of a rookie starting from day one. I think it puts young quarterbacks in an impossible situation. Quarterbacks need some time to adapt to the NFL when they first enter the league. It’s a big jump and there’s a lot of off-the-field factors that quarterbacks have to adjust to in a short period of time.

Selecting a quarterback and letting him sit behind Stafford for a year would be a perfect situation for the Giants. The offense would instantly be upgraded and then the rookie could take over a steady situation instead of trying to step into a situation that’s in disarray on day one.

Landing Stafford and drafting a quarterback in the first round would also mirror the Giants’ approach from 2004.

Just over 20 years ago, the Giants landed Eli Manning in the 2004 NFL Draft (via a trade with the San Diego Chargers). That same offseason they also signed veteran quarterback Kurt Warner, who had spent the previous six seasons with the Rams (which included a win in Super Bowl XXXIV…much like Stafford’s Super Bowl LVI win with the Rams).

Warner, who was released by the Rams after the 2003 season, started nine games for the Giants in 2004 before New York handed the starting job to Manning.

Things worked out pretty well for the Giants after that as Manning led the franchise to two Super Bowl wins during his 16 seasons in New York.

The Giants would obviously have higher expectations for Stafford than starting just nine games. But hey, it’s a scenario that worked out great for the Giants two decades ago — why not give it another shot in 2025?