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[New York Giants]

Who will be the Giants' starting QB in Week 1? ChatGPT, Grok and other AI chatbots weigh in

The New York Giants have made it a priority to address the quarterback position this offseason, and they’re likely to add players through both free agency or the trade market and the 2025 NFL draft.

So, which quarterback will the Giants draft if they go in that direction? Who will they acquire? And most importantly, who will start in Week 1 of the regular season?

As opposed to repetitive mock drafts, we decided to ask various AI systems those questions. We used ChatGPT, Grok, Gemini, and Copilot. All initial questions were worded exactly the same and follow-up questions were tuned to those answers.

While these projections ultimately mean very little, it does provide some probability data based on odds and information that is currently available. If nothing else, it’s interesting change of pace.

Here is what each AI chatbot had to say.

Source: https://giantswire.usatoday.com/lis...g-quarterback-week-1-grok-chatgpt-predict-ai/

 

[New York Giants]

NFL insiders are 'convinced' Giants have sights set on Shedeur Sanders

The New York Giants have reportedly inquired about Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford as their hunt for a signal caller continues, but he’s not the potential target on their list.

Even if the Giants manage to acquire Stafford or sign another veteran in free agency, ESPN’s Jordan Raanan reports that NFL insiders are “convinced” general manager Joe Schoen has his sights set on Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders.

Multiple league insiders are convinced the Giants have their sights on Sanders, but that would not necessarily keep the team from targeting a more experienced option at the position. The Giants had Super Bowl-winning quarterback Kurt Warner as their starter when they drafted Eli Manning with the No. 1 pick.

Sanders has been linked to the Giants for months. Clips of him interacting with head coach Brian Daboll and playing catch in the streets of New York City with wide receiver Malik Nabers have gone viral.

The Giants and Sanders are already scheduled for a top 30 visit and although he won’t throw at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis, he is expected to meet with Daboll again.

“He got a different kind of swagger about him too, though,” Sanders said of Daboll previously. “He was cool, though, and he was down to earth. He understands kind of how I am and who I am. And I understood him, also. As long as everybody go into a situation where I’m not going to believe anything I see online mutually then it will be a good relationship. You know?”

There have been rumors of some concern the Giants may have about Sanders but in reading the tea leaves, it seems clear he’s their primary draft target.

Related​

Report: Giants showing interest in Matthew Stafford, also inquired in 2024​

Giants hire Ladell Betts as running backs coach​

Giants have a short window in which to settle QB issues​

Source: https://giantswire.usatoday.com/202...-york-giants-have-sights-set-shedeur-sanders/

 

[New York Giants]

Giants GM Joe Schoen will 'look under every rock' for a quarterback

New York Giants general manager Joe Schoen is prepared to significantly improve his team’s roster this offseason and has the resources to make that initiative a reality.

With the No. 3 overall selection in this year’s NFL draft and a free agent war chest of over $50 million in salary cap space, Schoen is ready to attack the team’s biggest offseason need: a pair of quarterbacks.

Speaking at the NFL combine in Indianapolis, Schoen told reporters that he will exhaust all resources to address his quarterback room, which currently has just third-stringer Tommy DeVito under contract.

“Where we are financially from a salary cap standpoint is great, we have premium draft capital,” he said. ” I feel like we have the resources to improve this roster.”

“I’m for taking swings at that position,” he added. “It’s the most important position and it’s hard to find them. So keep swinging.”

Schoen said the Giants will “look under every rock” for a quarterback and explore every avenue. If they draft a young QB, he would like to pair him with a veteran to show him how to be a pro.

— Dan Salomone (@Dan_Salomone) February 25, 2025

Schoen was asked about the possible trade for Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford, he said it was a “question for the Rams” since Stafford is still under contract with them.

Stafford was given permission by the Rams last week to talk to teams about a potential contract and the Giants were rumored to be one of the teams contacted.

The Giants could very well use the No. 3 pick on quarterback. as well. The objective Schoen says is to improve the position in 2025.

“It’s the most important position in football, and we have one on our roster right now…we need better play out of that position than what we’ve had,” he said.

Source: https://giantswire.usatoday.com/2025/02/25/giants-joe-schoen-quarterback-draft-free-agency-trade/

 

[New York Giants]

Giants pass on QB in Mel Kiper Jr.'s pre-combine mock draft

The New York Giants are in the market for not just a starting quarterback this offseason, but a viable backup, as well.

They have over $50 million to spend in free agency, which begins in just over two weeks, and the third overall pick in the draft as ammunition to solve one – or both – of those issues.

In his pre-combine mock draft, ESPN’s Mel Kiper, Jr. doesn’t see the Giants selecting a quarterback with that No. 3 overall pick.

3. New York Giants: Travis Hunter, WR/CB, Colorado

Let’s start with the QB question, since I’m sure Giants fans would raise their eyebrows at seeing New York pass on Sanders. First, there are mixed feelings on him around the league, and he isn’t seen as a surefire top-five pick. The front office and coaching staff have to win right now, and banking their futures on the class’ QB2 might not get it done. Second, I’m not ready to close the door on the Giants bypassing this lackluster QB class in favor of a veteran option. Could New York trade for Matthew Stafford? Would signing Sam Darnold fix the issue? There are options here, and if the Giants go another route, they can instead use this pick to address one of many other needs. Or, in Hunter’s case, maybe two of them.

Hunter is my top-ranked prospect in the class, and though I currently see him as a receiver in the pros, he could also play cornerback for New York. He can make a massive impact on either side of the ball, and he’ll likely see at least some time on both sides. Perhaps the Giants take his ball skills and quickness and drop him at receiver opposite Malik Nabers to form a solid supporting cast around whomever is under center. Perhaps they look at his elite instincts and finally land a true CB1. Either way, this pick would be clutch for a struggling Giants team.

Kiper hit the nail on the head when he labeled this year’s quarterback class as “lackluster.” None of the players are deserving of such a high pick. Teams in need of quarterbacks, such as the Giants, usually overdraft quarterbacks in the first round and live to regret it.

Such picks are “regime killers” and Giants general manager Joe Schoen cannot afford to squander the No. 3 pick on a quarterback that could be a bust.

The Giants are 9-25 over the past two seasons and Schoen needs to be smart and take the best players in front of him in the draft and fill in the other needs via free agency and trades.

Hunter is a no-brainer if he is still on the board. Schoen and the Giants won’t hesitate to grab one of the few generational talents in this year’s draft class.

Source: https://giantswire.usatoday.com/2025/02/25/giants-nfl-mock-draft-mel-kiper-travis-hunter/

 

[New York Giants]

Giants GM Joe Schoen wouldn't advise teams to do offseason 'Hard Knocks' if asked

This time last year, NFL Films and HBO’s “Hard Knocks” were embarking on a new venture to take fans behind the scenes of a team preparing for the offseason.

The subject team was, of course, the New York Giants and the revolutionary idea worked well. It was revealing (perhaps too revealing), informative and fresh – and fans ate it up.

The concept may be dead on the vine, however, after the debut season. The Giants are still answering questions about their process a year later and no team has yet to volunteer for the second season.

“We hope it’s back. We’re talking to a bunch of teams about it. But we’ll see what happens. I mean, we need a willing participant on that one. We’re not going to force someone to do that show,” NFL Films VP Cossrow said last month.

No team has come forward because of the maelstrom it created for the Giants. It showed the inner workings of a decision that would eventually change the outcome of the 2025 NFL season and made the Giants look like fools in the process.

You know, the one where the Giants decided to let Saquon Barkley walk in free agency.

On Tuesday at the NFL combine in Indianapolis, the first question hurled at Giants general manager Joe Schoen was about his fateful decision to allow Barkley to defect to Philadelphia and lead them to the Super Bowl. While he’s happy for Barkley, the decision didn’t work out for New York.

Schoen was also asked if any team has called him for advice about doing the show and though no one has, he knows what he would tell them if they sought his opinion.

Joe Schoen has not been asked by other NFL teams about his thoughts on Offseason Hard Knocks

If he was asked? “I think I know what I would tell them” pic.twitter.com/FYwBJaIgb8

— Giants Videos (@SNYGiants) February 25, 2025

The reality is, had the Giants kept Barkley, he wouldn’t have tilted the scales much for them. They won three games last year. With Barkley, they might have won a few more at best. With the Eagles, he became the final piece of a championship puzzle.

The Giants need to have a solid offseason that yields results and produces wins to finally escape this shroud of ineptitude that has been hanging over them since they appeared on “Hard Knocks”.

Source: https://giantswire.usatoday.com/2025/02/25/nfl-giants-hard-knocks-offseason-joe-schoen/

 

[New York Giants]

Joe Schoen says Giants 'will look at moving up' from No. 3 overall, could trade back

The New York Giants are in position to add a blue-chip talent to their roster this year with the No. 3 overall pick in the draft. Whether it’s a quarterback like Cam Ward or Shadeur Sanders or a special two-way player like Travis Hunter, they’re bound to come away with a premier prospect in April.

Of course, there’s always the possibility of the Giants moving off that pick and trading up or down the board. General manager Joe Schoen said at the NFL combine on Tuesday that the Giants are open to everything, including a move up from No. 3.

“We have an idea of 3-5 players, six players, seven – whatever it may be,” he said. “And move-back scenarios, you can do that. We’ll also look at moving up if that’s a possibility. So it’s an exciting time and year for us and got a chance to make some changes on our roster so we’ll look at all different scenarios.”

Joe Schoen on the No. 3 pick : pic.twitter.com/P2ehvMPGHG

— Paul Schwartz (@NYPost_Schwartz) February 25, 2025

Sitting at No. 3, the Giants have a good idea of which players will be available at that spot. There are only two players who can be selected before they go on the clock, and there’s a good chance those two players could be Ward and Abdul Carter – two of the favorites to go first overall.

If the Giants covet one of them, it’s possible they’ll try to trade up with either the Titans or Browns to ensure they land one of them. At the same time, Schoen sounds open to trading back if they don’t love the prospects at No. 3.

Source: https://giantswire.usatoday.com/2025/02/25/giants-nfl-draft-trade-up-back-joe-schoen/

 

[New York Giants]

Giants have a short window in which to settle QB issues

The New York Giants’ top priority over the next 60 days is to find themselves a starting quarterback for the upcoming 2025 season. Ideally, that player will be the “answer” at the position for them, providing both a short and a long-term solution.

It won’t be easy, however. First off, the options may be aplenty but is the quality they need there? Second, the decision has to be made quickly.

Lastly, they don’t hold all the cards. There will be a glut of competition vying for quarterbacks along with them.

Giants general manager Joe Schoen isn’t likely to give much insight on his plans at his press conference on Tuesday at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis.

Big Blue has just one quarterback in the fold at the moment and it’s third-stringer Tommy DeVito. The whole league knows they will be driving hard to the hoop for a signal caller, which will make a trade much more difficult to pull off.

The favorite partner in rumored trades is the Los Angeles Rams, who have permitted Matthew Stafford to seek a new home. The Giants have reportedly been in contact to some degree.

If Stafford and the Giants are a match, they would then have to negotiate with the Rams on a trade, one in which Los Angeles will undoubtedly ask for the No. 3 overall pick in the draft.

That would likely cause the Giants to balk at a deal for the 37-year-old Stafford, whose contract extension won’t come cheap.

That would leave free agency and the draft as their best options. The free agent pool is shallow. There are really no long-term solutions there.

The draft class is also not considered a top one. There is Miami’s Cam Ward, Shedeur Sanders of Colorado, Alabama’s Jalen Milroe, and Jaxson Dart of Ole Miss.

Ward might be off the board by the time the Giants select at No. 3. Sanders will not throw at the Combine, so they won’t likely get a solid look at him until after free agency begins in mid-March. Dart and Milroe aren’t considered worthy of the third overall pick.

Schoen has a short window to make what will be the biggest decision of his four-year tenure with the Giants. If he can’t get a deal for Stafford done and gets iced out in free agency, he’ll have just the draft to fall back on.

As stated, that might be the best course of action in an offseason where teams searching for a quarterback have few viable options.

Related​

One free agent each NFL team should want to sign in 2025​

Who will be the Giants' starting QB in Week 1? ChatGPT, Grok and other AI chatbots weigh in​

Ex-Giants WR Plaxico Burress' Super Bowl XLII ring sells for near-record​

Source: https://giantswire.usatoday.com/202...rt-window-in-which-settle-quarterback-issues/

 

[New York Giants]

2025 NFL Draft prospect profile - Bhayshul Tuten, RB, Virginia Tech

Photo by Brian Bishop/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Is Tuten a sleeper at the running back position?

The New York Giants seemingly struck gold at running back in the 2024 NFL Draft, but could they look to the position again?

Tyrone Tracy will almost certainly be the Giants’ starter in 2025, but veteran Devin Singletary might not be a long-term answer as a high-volume number two. The two backs are also quite similar in style, and the Giants could be interested in finding some contrast.

Virginia Tech running back Bhayshul Tuten has emerged as one of the most explosive runners in the country over the previous two seasons. He’s made a habit out of turning a glimmer of daylight into big plays and could turn into a steal if he slips in a talented running back class.

Could he be a speedy counter to the slippery Tyrone Tracy?

Prospect: Bhayshul Tuten (33)
Games Watched: vs. Vanderbilt (2024), vs. Rutgers (2024), vs. Miami (2024), vs. Boston College (2024)

Measurables​

Kent Lee Platte | RAS.football

Strengths​

Best traits

• Competitive toughness
• Explosiveness
• Long speed
• Receiving game play

Bhayshul Tuten is a compact and explosive running back who specializes in generating home-run plays.

Tuten is one of the fastest players in the upcoming draft with a 4.32-second 40-yard dash as well as elite explosive traits. He understands how to manipulate his speed and running tempo to manipulate defenders, then shift gears to exploit poor angles. A full 54 percent of his yardage, roughly 625 yards, came on breakaway runs this past year and his 21 runs of at least 15 yards was 15th in the FBS.

Tuten has a powerful lower body, which allows him to survive incidental contact around the line of scrimmage, as well as poor tackle attempts at the second level. He’s able to bounce off of contact as well as keep (or regain) his footing on the move.

He also has “three down” upside in the backfield, and is a capable receiver as well as pass protector. Tuten understands pass protection schemes and knows his role within them. He consistently identifies pressure and is aggressive about coming up to meet defenders, and does whatever he can to sustain his blocks.

As a receiver, he’s a natural “hands” catcher who does a good job of presenting a target to the quarterback, making adjustments to the ball in the air, and securing it before turning upfield. Tuten also aligned as a true wide receiver on occasion, which should give him added versatility given his ability with the ball in his hands.

Finally, Tuten plays with incredible competitive toughness. He’s a fiery competitor who is constantly fighting for extra yards and doesn’t shy away from contact. Likewise, he’s willing to play lead blocker for receivers on sweeps or his quarterback on designed runs and read-option plays. He also plays hard when used as a misdirection piece, running as though he has the ball even when he’s nowhere near the play.

Weaknesses​

Worst traits

• Agility
• Cutback ability
• Size and mass
• Ball security

While Tuten is an explosive athlete and one of the fastest runners in this draft class, he’s also a very linear athlete.

Tuten is at his worst when he’s either asked – or forced – to be a cut-back runner. He lacks great agility as a runner and cutting back often forces him to either slow or stop his feet altogether. That can make him a relatively easy target for defenders, and he can be stopped at or behind the line of scrimmage.

He is also undersized for an NFL running back, and he simply shouldn’t be relied upon to push the pile around the line of scrimmage.

Finally, his incredible competitive toughness can work against him at times as well. Tuten is constantly fighting for extra yardage in the open field, however that also exposes him to extra tackle attempts and he occasionally sacrifices his technique to keep his feet. That, in turn, means more opportunities for defenders to knock the ball loose.

Game Tape​

(Tuten is the Virginia Tech running back wearing number 33 and a sleeve on his left leg.)

Projection​

Bhayshul Tuten projects as a rotational player in an active backfield.

Some teams might be hesitant to make him a true starter given his size. He could benefit from being paired with a more powerful or more elusive back to offer contrasting styles to opposing defenses. His highest upside will be in an offense and scheme that allows him to get vertical as quickly as possible.

Offenses that ask runners to go horizontal or be cut-back artists would likely waste Tuten’s explosiveness. Ball security should also be a point of emphasis early in his career, as he can expose the ball to being knocked loose while fighting for extra yardage.

That said, he has the potential to be a true home run hitter if he lands in the right situation.

Does he fit the Giants?
Yes

Final Word: A Day 3 value with upside

Source: https://www.bigblueview.com/2025/3/...en-rb-virginia-tech-scouting-report-ny-giants

 

[New York Giants]

New York Giants free agency tracker: Latest signings, rumors, news, analysis

Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Stay up to date with all the Giants’ free agency news and rumors

NFL free agency begins Monday at noon ET with the opening of the “legal tampering” period. The official free agent signing period does not begin until Wednesday at 4 p.m. ET. To keep up with all the moves and rumors regarding the New York Giants, follow this Giants free agent tracker and the rest of our free agent coverage at Big Blue View.

What will the Giants do at quarterback? How will GM Joe Schoen, under fire after two poor seasons, navigate improving the roster while not making any ‘Hail Mary’ moves aimed solely at trying to keep his job?

You can also visit our Giants Free Agency Hub Page. You can also visit the Big Blue View YouTube Page for reactions and analysis.

Saturday, March 8​

The negotiating window has not started, but there are already things going on that could impact the Giants.

Kirk Cousins wants trade, might not get one

Sources: QB Kirk Cousins asked for, and got, a meeting with Falcons owner Arthur Blank on his future. Blank and Cousins had that meeting Wednesday night—the QB wants to go to a place where he can start in 2025.

The Falcons brass has said it'd do what's best for the team at QB.

— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) March 7, 2025

Sam Darnold to Seattle?

Sources: The #Seahawks, after trading Geno Smith to the #Raiders, have shifted their primary focus to Sam Darnold. He is their No. 1 option, and there is mutual interest on his behalf as well.

It is highly unlikely that Darnold returns to the #Vikings, according to multiple… pic.twitter.com/otbTOj3hTh

— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) March 8, 2025​

Unrestricted free agents​

Edge Patrick Johnson
S Jason Pinnock
CB Greg Stroman
KR/WR Ihmir Smith-Marsette
KR/WR Gunner Olszewski
LB Ty Summers
DT Armon Watts
QB Tim Boyle
S Elijah Riley
OT Chris Hubbard
LB Matthew Adams
G Aaron Stinnie
LS Casey Kreiter [Re-signed with Giants]
TE Chris Manhertz
Edge Azeez Ojulari
CB Adoree’ Jackson
G Greg Van Roten
P Jamie Gillan
LB Isaiah Simmons
QB Drew Lock
WR Darius Slayton

Restricted free agent​

DT Timmy Horne

Exclusive rights free agents​

S Jonathan Sutherland
Edge Tomon Fox [Re-signed with Giants]
CB Divaad Wilson
LB Dyontae Johnson
QB Tommy DeVito [Re-signed with Giants]
C Jimmy Morrissey [Re-signed with Giants]

Giants free agent signings​

(N/A)

Source: https://www.bigblueview.com/2025/3/...test-signings-rumors-contracts-nfl-joe-schoen

 

[New York Giants]

Jamie Gillan signing: ‘Scottish Hammer’ back with New York Giants

Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images

Giants keep the left-footed punter

Punter Jamie Gillan is returning to the New York Giants on three-year contract worth up to $10.2 million, per NFL insider Tom Pelissero.

The left-footed ‘Scottish Hammer’ is entering his seventh NFL season. He has been with the Giants since 2022.

Gillan, 27, averaged a career-low 43.7 yards per punt in 2024, but missed four games with a leg injury. He had career-bests in touchback percentage (3.6) and punts downed inside the opponent’s 20-yard line (48.2%).

The Giants have now signed both Gillan and veteran long-snapper Casey Kreiter, two key special teams players.

Unrestricted free agents​

Edge Patrick Johnson
S Jason Pinnock
CB Greg Stroman
KR/WR Ihmir Smith-Marsette
KR/WR Gunner Olszewski
LB Ty Summers
DT Armon Watts
QB Tim Boyle
S Elijah Riley
OT Chris Hubbard
LB Matthew Adams
G Aaron Stinnie
LS Casey Kreiter [Re-signed with Giants]
TE Chris Manhertz
Edge Azeez Ojulari
CB Adoree’ Jackson
G Greg Van Roten
P Jamie Gillan [Re-signed with Giants]
LB Isaiah Simmons
QB Drew Lock
WR Darius Slayton

Restricted free agent​

DT Timmy Horne

Exclusive rights free agents​

S Jonathan Sutherland
Edge Tomon Fox [Re-signed with Giants]
CB Divaad Wilson
LB Dyontae Johnson
QB Tommy DeVito [Re-signed with Giants]
C Jimmy Morrissey [Re-signed with Giants]

Source: https://www.bigblueview.com/2025/3/...ing-scottish-hammer-back-with-new-york-giants

 

[New York Giants]

New York Giants free agency: Daniel Jones could still haunt the Giants this offseason

Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images

Where the former Giants lands could impact who quarterbacks the Giants in 2025

In a cruel bit of irony, discarded quarterback Daniel Jones could hold the key to who ends up playing the position for the New York Giants in 2025.

How’s that?

The first big domino in the offseason quarterback market fell on Friday when the Seattle Seahawks traded Geno Smith to the Las Vegas Raiders, reuniting him with former Seattle head coach Pete Carroll.

By most accounts, the Seahawks’ preferred replacement for Smith is Sam Darnold, who is headed to free agency after a career year with the Minnesota Vikings in 2024. Darnold and Seattle offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak were together with the San Francisco 49ers in 2023.

Which brings us back to Jones.

After requesting and receiving his release from the Giants after being benched last season, Jones landed on the Vikings’ practice squad.

There has been a logical train of thought that if Darnold moves on from the Vikings, as seems likely, Jones could step in with Minnesota as the bridge to or backup for 2024 first-round pick J.J. McCarthy.

But ...

Jones is also a free agent, and NFL insider Mike Garafolo said that “Jones has other options, as well, it seems.”

Those options could include the Indianapolis Colts as either competition for or a replacement of Anthony Richardson, and the Tennessee Titans, who have the No. 1 overall pick and an as-yet uncertain amount of interest in drafting a quarterback.

What happens if Darnold AND Jones bolt the Vikings?

Garafolo then dropped Aaron Rodgers’ name as a potential fit for the Vikings.

“If Rodgers heads to Minnesota, then where do the Giants wind up?,” Garafolo asked.

That’s a good question.

If Rodgers values a situation with a team that is more ready-made to win, then choosing Minnesota over New York would seem like a no-brainer.

A Plan B for New York behind Rodgers might be Russell Wilson. Except that there are reports that Justin Fields may leave the Pittsburgh Steelers in search of a guaranteed starting job, meaning the Steelers might have to re-up with the 37-year-old Wilson.

If the Titans were to sign Jones, would that make them more amenable to swapping the No. 1 overall pick to the Giants in exchange for No. 3 overall and other draft assets?

So many questions. So few answers.

And Jones might be at the center of it all.

Source: https://www.bigblueview.com/2025/3/...s-could-still-haunt-the-giants-this-offseason

 

[New York Giants]

Geno Smith traded to Raiders — what it means for the Giants

Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

The quarterback carousel in the NFL is off and running, as the Las Vegas Raiders have acquired Geno Smith from the Seattle Seahawks in exchange for a 2025 third-round pick.

What does this mean for the quarterback-shopping New York Giants?

First, acquiring the 34-year-old Smith probably removes the possibility the Raiders, with the No. 6 overall pick in the NFL Draft, would try to trade up to No. 1 or No. 2 for Cam Ward or Shedeur Sanders.

That is obviously good news for the Giants if they want to trade up for Ward, as much recent speculation has indicated.

Dianna Russini of The Athletic is now speculating that Seattle could now be a landing spot for Sam Darnold, who starred for the Minnesota Vikings last season. The Giants don’t seem like a likely landing spot for Darnold, who flopped in New York after being drafted No. 3 overall by the New York Jets in 2018.

If Seattle can’t get the veteran quarterback it wants, perhaps Jaxson Dart of Ole Miss would be in play for the Seahawks, who have the 18th overall pick in the draft.

One other bit of quarterback news: Russini is reporting that the Atlanta Falcons are telling teams Kirk Cousins will not be traded.

The biggest remaining question for the Giants, if they decide Ward is their quarterback target, is whether or not the Tennessee Titans will select him at No. 1 or being willing to trade down two spots with the Giants.

Source: https://www.bigblueview.com/2025/3/...raiders-what-it-means-for-the-new-york-giants

 

[New York Giants]

New York Giants free agency: TE Chris Manhertz returns

Chris Manhertz | Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images

Veteran tight end will be back for second year with Giants

As NFL free agency approaches, the New York Giants have been busy re-signing some of their own players. The latest to re-sign with the Giants is tight end Chris Manhertz, who is reportedly returning on a one-year deal.

Manhertz, who will be 33 during the 2025 season, will be entering his 11th NFL season. A blocking tight end, he played in all 17 games last season for the Giants, starting 11 games.

Manhertz has played for the New Orleans Saints, Carolina Panthers, Jacksonville Jaguars, Denver Broncos and Giants. Manhertz caught just three passes in 2024, and has just 29 receptions in his career.

He rejoins a tight end room that includes Theo Johnson, Daniel Bellinger and Greg Dulcich.

The Giants have re-signed punter Jamie Gillan, long-snapper Casey Kreiter and Exclusive Rights Free Agents Tommy DeVito, Tomon Fox and Jimmy Morrissey.

The free agent negotiating window opens on Monday, with the signing period starting on Wednesday.

Source: https://www.bigblueview.com/2025/3/8/24381060/new-york-giants-free-agency-te-chris-manhertz-returns

 

[New York Giants]

Big Blue View mailbag: All quarterback all the time

The mail’s here!

Alan Backman asks: I see a lot of people (including you in BBV) pushing Ward to Giants. Some are even suggesting trading up to No. 1. Can you walk me through the logic here? Let’s say you get Ward at 3. Odds are against instant success like Jayden Daniels. Plus, Ward plays “hero ball” leading to 8 fumbles in 2024. And Giants have tough schedule. Normally, you just accept this as growing pains. But issue is Mara basically told Schoen and Mara that they’ve got to win in 2025 or they’re gone. So what happens to Ward? He gets matched with a new GM & HC. That new management has no allegiance to Ward and may have a different idea of how to play the game. Isn’t that Daniel Jones 2.0? Isn’t it better to give Schoen & Daboll a veteran on a short-term deal. Maybe add a Day 2 rookie. If they can make it work then great. Otherwise you’ve got a clean slate (more or less) in 2026 with new GM & HC picking “their guy”. Make sense?

Ed says: Alan, let’s clarify something before we get fully into this discussion. Ward had 17 fumbles for his collegiate career in 57 starts. He had eight in 2023, but only two in 2022 and three this past season. That is one fumble every 3.35 games. Just for grins I looked up Patrick Mahomes’ career fumbles. He has 38 in 112 career regular season games, one every 2.95 games.

Please don’t try to come with the “you can’t draft Ward because he fumbles too much” argument. There is no basis for it.

Now for the rest of your question/argument.

The time for this discussion, honestly, was before John Mara made the decision to keep Joe Schoen and Brian Daboll for another year. I wrote posts both supporting the idea of bringing them back and making the argument for why they should be let go.

The idea of what would be best for a quarterback selected in Round 1 as the franchise quarterback of the future was central to why keeping them might be problematic. It does open the door to what happened to Jones, to what Caleb Williams is going through in Chicago, to what Bryce Young has experienced in Carolina.

That said, since the Giants kept them they cannot put them in restraints and tell them there are certain moves they can’t make because of their tenuous job statuses. Mara, in fact, said exactly the opposite when he met with the media after it was announced that the GM and head coach would be back.

“Obviously the number one issue for us going into this offseason, is to find our quarterback of the future,” Mara said. “Whether that be via the draft or acquiring a veteran, it’s going to be up to them to decide, ultimately.”

That is not an order to be passive. That sounds like a mandate to be bold and get the quarterback if they think the right guy — whether that is Ward or someone else — is available to them.

Ownership decided to keep Schoen and Daboll. Now, they have to let them do their jobs.

The most likely path is that the Giants get BOTH the veteran on a short-term deal — like Aaron Rodgers or Russell Wilson — and a highly-drafted rookie.

---

Bruce Noble asks: It seems the more things heated up in the Stafford discussion, the more Darnold faded to non-existent. I had to check the latest signings and even Google to verify that he is still unsigned. So, why are we even talking about Rodgers are not Darnold?

Ed says: Bruce, if you sign Aaron Rodgers, Russell Wilson or Kirk Cousins you are probably making a one-year commitment while also trying to draft your quarterback of the future. If you sign Sam Darnold, you are almost certainly signing him to a big-money, long-term deal to be your quarterback for the next several seasons.

The problem with that should be obvious. It could be great, but it could also be the Daniel Jones mistake all over again. The Giants gave Jones a big contract after he had his first good season in four years. He never matched it or improved on it. Darnold has had one good year in SEVEN seasons.

Are you buying that 2024 was the real Darnold? Or, were the first six seasons the real Darnold? Even if you think 2024 was the real Darnold, are you sure he can repeat that success away from Kevin O’Connell, Justin Jefferson and everything else he had in place in Minnesota?

Signing Darnold would be a massive gamble.

---

Russell Plotkin asks: Facing the specter of the Giants actually trading up to get a quarterback has me concerned. If the sword of Damocles was not hanging over Schoen and Daboll’s head I would like to think they’d be more concerned with adding to the paucity of talent on our Giants by drafting Hunter, Carter or Graham, or even trading back as far as six to get more picks. Sign a bridge quarterback (or two) for this year and take a flier on a lesser acclaimed QB on Day 2. Unfortunately, because of the talent chasm between us and the legitimate NFL contenders, compounded with what, theoretically at least, is the toughest schedule in the NFL, our record is going to stink anyway. We will have an excellent opportunity for one of the top picks again next year when the crop of quarterbacks is reportedly to be deeper and more talented. Since John Mara was afraid to “prematurely” pull the trigger on Schoen, wouldn’t it make more sense to ease the pressure on our GM this year by extending him one more year so that the above-suggested plan might be followed?

Ed says: Russell, things may play out the way you suggest in terms of the draft. Although I am not going to sit here in the first week of March before any real moves have been made and pre-emptively decide the Giants are going to stink.

To me, though, extending Schoen makes no sense. Mara cranked up the heat when he brought Joe Schoen and Brian Daboll back, demanding a better 2025. Why extend him now and cost yourself money when the possibility of firing him at the end of the year exists? I don’t get that at all.

---

David Silver asks: Following Eli Manning has always been fun, certainly more fun than following I don’t know, Tom Brady. He is also not someone to speak outside the organization. So what do you make of his comments about Jaxson Dart? He volunteered to watch film and help the Giants on a QB choice if they asked. Then he said he didn’t really follow the new QB choices like Ward and Sanders, but specifically talked about his familiarity with Jaxson Dart, who broke his single season record at Ole Miss, has been to the Manning camps, and who he speaks to and thinks can “make all the throws.” Is he just an Ole Miss alum who likes his old college team, or is he sending his old pro team a message?

Ed says: David, I wouldn’t go reading a bunch of things into this. As I recall, Manning was asked about Dart because it’s well known that the two have a relationship at some level. If the Giants ask him to study the other quarterbacks, I’m certain he will. And, I’m certain he will give them honest evaluations.

The only message he is sending to the Giants is that he’s willing to put in his $.02 if the front office wants it. I can’t read anything else into it.

---

Brian Misdom asks: If the Giants are unable to secure a QB of the future in this draft, do you view this offseason as a failure? Would Mara and Tisch?

We know Schoen and Daboll are on the hot seat and we have an obvious need at QB. While Schoen has said they won’t make decisions forsaking the future to protect their now, I have a hard time fully buying that.

They kicked the can last year and (correctly in my opinion) took BPA at 6 with Nabers. Could they do the same this year?

I feel they need some hope to attach to them since they may not get another offseason; thus a desperate trade up or reaching for QB3 depending on what the Titans and Browns do.

Ed says: Brian, considering that John Mara said back in January that finding a quarterback of the future — veteran or rookie — was the biggest priority of the offseason I think it is something Schoen and Daboll have to do.

Could the Giants pass on a quarterback at No. 3? Absolutely. But, there has to be a young quarterback drafted at some point who at least gives them an option. Jaxson Dart, Jalen Milroe, Tyler Shough, Quinn Ewers, whoever it is.

---

Alan Glickenhouse asks: I’ve seen you banging the drum for a trade-up to No. 1 to pick Ward. Let’s say for whatever reason that doesn’t happen (e.g. Tennessee keeps pick or wants too much) and Ward is gone by pick No. 3. If the Giants have their eye on Dart as the consolation prize (and not Sanders), what do you think it will take to get him? Dart has been moving up the boards and is almost certainly going somewhere in Round 1. Certainly they could just pick him at No. 3, but that may be too much of a reach. How far could they trade back and feel good about him being there? Or, do you think it’s possible to use No. 3 on one of the top prospects (Carter or Hunter) and trade back up into Round 1 using No. 34 and other assets? Again, what do you think this would take? Obviously nobody knows for sure, just asking for your best guess.

Ed says: Alan, as I said above it is absolutely possible for the Giants to pass on quarterback at No. 3, or get shut out, and have to move on to Dart-Shough-Milroe-Ewers-Kyle McCord-Will Howard, etc.

I don’t know exactly what it would take to move back into Round 1. It would definitely take No. 34 plus other assets, depending how high you are trying to go.

The key for the Giants would be properly assessing where they need to get in Round 1 if Dart is their target. Free agency will be a determining factor. For me, the key team is the Pittsburgh Steelers at No. 21. Will the Giants end up thinking the Steelers would take a quarterback at No. 21, and believing they would have to get in front of Pittsburgh?

That remains to be seen.

---

Douglas Furth asks: The constant since SB46 has been ownership. To what extent do you believe that ownership is responsible for the team’s troubles post SB46?

Ed says: Douglas, of course ownership is ultimately responsible for the mess of the past few seasons. Even good owners, and I do believe at his core John Mara is a good owner who cares about the right things, have weaknesses and make mistakes.

Hiring mistakes at head coach and general manager have to be pinned on ownership. The Mara family is known for its loyalty, and sticking too long with a fading Eli Manning was Mara ‘s loyalty getting the best of him. So was hiring Dave Gettleman as GM rather than conducting a real search and finding the best candidate. Having Daniel Jones as quarterback for six years was, I believe, another situation driven by ownership.

The Giants should probably have gone outside their comfort zone for a GM long before they hired Joe Schoen, who has finally modernized many things about the way the Giants do business.

I say all the time the fact that the Giants are the only team in the league with a 50-50 ownership split complicates decisions. Because Steve Tisch, when he wants to exercise it, has just as much decision-making power as Mara does. That can lead to compromise decisions and a lack of clear direction.

The buck stops at the top, and ownership is the top.

---

John Armbruster asks: I see in recent days the Bears strengthen their Offensive line by acquiring Joe Thuney (age 32) from KC for a 2026 fourth-round pick and Jonah Jackson (age 28) from the Rams for a 2026 sixth-round pick. Thuney while 32 is a recent All-Pro. They seemed to have strengthened their offensive line while obtaining these players at a seemingly low price. Why can’t Joe Schoen pull off creative trades like this? He seems to prefer going the route of overpaying free agents.

Ed says: John, I don’t want to come off as a Joe Schoen fan boy, because I am not. But, Schoen has made a number of trades during his time as Giants GM. It is a tool he is absolutely willing to use. Kadarius Toney, Darren Waller, Leonard Williams, Brian Burns, Jalin Hyatt were all trades by Schoen. He maneuvered the draft board with a couple of 2022 deals.

Remember, Schoen is aiming to land a quarterback in this draft class. He knows he might need to give up draft assets to do that. He needs to keep picks for that, and so that he has picks left to select some players in the 2025 and 2026 drafts (if he still has a job in 2026).

I do have a question of my own, though. What free agent overpay has Schoen made? He gave Jon Runyan three years and $30 million. By average salary per year, Runyan is 19th among guards. That isn’t an overpay. He paid Bobby Okereke $40 million over four years. That’s 10th among inside linebackers. Okereke didn’t have a great 2024, but I don’t see that as an overpay, either.

I know that you are frustrated by the results of the past couple of years. Let’s see what happens next week and in the draft.

---

Gregg Wanlass asks: From what I’ve read it seems like the Cards are willing to move on from Kyler Murray. I guess that says something in itself. But given our situation, would a move for him be the worst scenario? He obviously has talent, is young enough to be a long term solution and has a mid level QB contract in place (10th) which may seem not too bad as prices go up. Estimates as to what it would take to get him vary widely, but if they are looking to move him, then maybe it might be on the lower half. What are your thoughts and if you would think it might be worth a look, what would you consider to give up to make the deal?

Ed says: Gregg, there is plenty of Internet speculation about the idea of the Cardinals trading Murray to the Giants. With apologies to @MLFootball on ‘X’, I have seen nothing from any credible source or sources that makes me believe this is something that is actually under consideration. I saw one blogger throw out the idea, and as the Internet does it has run wild with the possibility.

That said, Murray is a good quarterback, will only be 28 next season, and has just one year of guaranteed salary left on his five-ear, $230.5 million contract. There are worse ideas.

---

Dan Paulsen asks: Hi! I haven’t heard much talk around this but what are your thoughts of taking Hunter or Carter at 3 and then trading back later into the first round for Dart? And what would it cost to move up to say pick 15 or 20 to get him?

Ed says: Dan, trading back into Round 1 for Jaxson Dart might be what happens. There is still a long way to go. I could see it, but the Giants probably wouldn’t be the only team trying to do it.

What would it cost? It depends how far you have to move up and how much competition you have. Let’s say the Giants want to get to No. 20 (Denver Broncos), one pick in front of the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Johnson trade chart says in would take picks 34, 65 and something else. The price would only go up is there were multiple teams wanting to move up.

---

Glen B. asks: Ed, while Dabs may have not yet lost the locker room, I’m wondering if Schoen has.Barkley was well respected by his teammates and a class act, was the face of the franchise, yet Schoen refused to extend him over as little as $1 million difference and is seen to have jerked him around. And didn’t Julian Love leave even though the Giants came close to matching the competing offer? And then there’s the Tyre Phillips saga, and all the games being played with releasing and resigning the same players to the practice squad.

There are other examples, but Schoen seems to come off as extremely arrogant who does not respect players and loves to play games with them. I get he has a tough job to do as GM and it’s a business, but if players don’t trust they will be treated fairly why will they stick around? And why would good players want to come here? As someone who has managed many employees, there is a lot more to getting the best performance out of people than just paying them. They need to feel respected and valued. Is this happening under Schoen?

Ed says: Glen, I’m sure there are players who are not fans of the GM. I also know some who love Schoen.

The GM’s job, though, is not to be loved by the players. The head coach doesn’t need to be loved, either, but his relationship is different since he has to deal with player directly every day. The GM is separated from that role. The GM has to do what he believes is right for the franchise, regardless of player opinion.

Players understand that it is a business. They understand that their friends are going to come and go. All players want is the truth from the GM and the head coach. If they get that, they can respect it. Have they always gotten it with this front office? I’m not sure that has always been the case.

Jerry Reese always used to say you have to take the emotions out of decisions about the roster and the franchise. It isn’t always easy to do, and I’m not sure Schoen has always done that successfully. I think perhaps you can point to the Saquon Barkley, Julian Love and Nick McCloud situations as times where the GM might have let his feelings get in the way.

Hopefully, Schoen recognizes that and grows from it.

Good players will follow the money and the opportunity.

---

Ed Metzendorf asks: This is Giants and league related. I think it goes without saying that drafting a franchise QB is a crapshoot. So rather than mortgage futures, aren’t teams better off developing a good all around team with a good (not great) QB rather than mortgaging the future to try to get the next Mahomes?

Point being this year if you looks at final 8 in playoffs you could make the argument that if you were starting a team Hurts would have been your 8th choice (and certainly no higher then 6)and they won the SB because they had a complete team. so why are the Giants GM and others so caught up on finding the next QB rather than just creating a complete team, seems like a better formula and actually easier to do in a lot of ways?

Ed says: Well, and Ed to Ed conversation. Ed, let me turn that question around on you. Here are the eight quarterbacks from the Divisional Round of the playoffs:

Patrick Mahomes, C.J. Stroud, Josh Allen, Lamar Jackson, Jayden Daniels, Jared Goff, Jalen Hurts, Matthew Stafford.

Tell me which of those eight quarterbacks you would NOT put in the top 10 or 12 in the NFL? I think they are all in that range.

As Joe Schoen said multiple times at the Combine, quarterback is the most important position in football. You don’t have to have the BEST one, but if you are going to be a good football team and challenge for a chance to win a Super Bowl you need to have a really good one. All eight of those teams did.

If you have a conviction that there is a quarterback available you think can be one of those top-tier guys who might help you win a championship someday, you do what you have to in order to get the guy. I’m paraphrasing, but Bills GM Brandon Beane has said there is no price too high to pay for a championship caliber quarterback — if you end up being right. And, you should take the swing when you have the chance because if you don’t have one of those guys you are probably getting fired, anyway.

If there isn’t a guy there you love and believe in, you don’t take the swing. As Schoen said the other day, don’t take one just to say you did it. You keep building the roster, keep swinging and make the big move when it presents itself.

---

Submit a question​

Have a Giants-related question? E-mail it to [email protected] and it might be featured in our weekly mailbag.

Source: https://www.bigblueview.com/2025/3/...ag-all-quarterback-all-the-time-big-blue-view

 

[New York Giants]

Giants news, 3/8: Tomon Fox signs, Jameis Winston, Jonathan Allen, more headlines

Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

New York Giants headlines for Saturday

Good morning New York Giants fans!

From Big Blue View​

• New York Giants mock draft tracker: QB Jaxson Dart at No. 3?
• Survey: Giants fans choose Jameis Winston over Russell Wilson, Aaron Rodgers
• Tomon Fox signing ERFA tender with New York Giants
• 2025 NFL Draft prospect profile - James Pearce Jr., edge, Tennessee
• NFL pro days schedule, results tracker 2025: What to know about pre-draft workouts
• New York Giants 2025 free agency | New York Giants 2025 Draft

Other Giant observations​

Every NFL Team’s Missing Piece on Offense and Defense | Bleacher Report​

Offense: Cam Ward is the obvious missing piece under center, but Russell Wilson and Sam Darnold are potential consolation prizes for now. One could have a few good years left, and the upside could still be there for the other.

Defense: A game-changing cornerback could work wonders while addressing a major need, even if Adoree’ Jackson sticks around. If they don’t go the quarterback route early in the draft, Travis Hunter would be the obvious choice here.

Giants free agent primer: QB, CB and right guard atop the wish list | ESPN​

The Giants have almost $50 million under the salary cap to work with this offseason. It’s close to middle of the road in terms of available money, but it’s enough for the team to make some significant moves. The most likely are expected to be at quarterback, right guard and cornerback when the free agent negotiating window opens at noon on Monday.

San Francisco’s RG Aaron Banks is considered by most to be the top option, but he seems likely to be out of the Giants’ price range. The next tier (around $10 million per season) are Will Fries, Patrick Mekari and Brandon Scherff. Mekari is a name to watch.

Matthew Stafford left $15 million on table from Giants in their failed pursuit: ‘It’s a tough thing’ | nj.com​

“What I think the trade compensation would’ve been — the Giants give up their second-round pick, which is the 34th pick, and then the Rams give up a third round and Stafford,” Schrager said. “But then Stafford would need to tear up the contract and have a massive contract, which would’ve been paying him close to $15 million more per year than what he’s essentially going to play for, with the Rams.”

Caitlin Clark taken down by Eli Manning in pop-a-shot​

Eli challenges Caitlin Clark to a game of Pop-A-Shot!

Watch The Eli Manning Show: https://t.co/P2CJuoJwvd pic.twitter.com/8dk2hAGU11

— New York Giants (@Giants) March 6, 2025​

Giants NFL mock draft mailbag: Trade up for Cam Ward? If the price is right … | The Athletic​

The Giants are slated to make eight picks in this year’s draft, including one projected fourth-round compensatory pick for losing safety Xavier McKinney in free agency last year. Here is where the Giants are slated to pick with those Day 3 slots not finalized until the compensatory selections are made official: Round 1, No. 3; Round 2, No. 34; and Round 3, No. 65. After that they have two picks in the Round 4 and 7, one pick in 5.

Examining history to gauge possible Giants trade price for No. 1 pick | New York Daily News​

The Giants might make a big trade up to No. 1 to ensure they will land their preferred QB, especially after striking out on their aggressive pursuit of a Matthew Stafford trade.

2025 NFL draft: Giants will meet with Purdue's Marcus Mbow | USAToday.com​

On Wednesday, Purdue showcased 11 players for 31 NFL teams. Among those participating was offensive lineman Marcus Mbow, although he only took part in offensive drills. He opted not to jump, lift or run after showcasing those traits at the combine. The 6-foot-4, 303-pound Mbow said he has no preference on playing guard or tackle. He also revealed that he has a visit set up with the Giants.

Around the league​

Washington Commanders Roster Moves: Bobby Wagner re-signed to 1-year deal | Hogs Haven

Deebo Samuel: Commanders 'one of the best possible fits for me' | NFL.com

The Saquon Barkley contract is probably bad. So what. | Bleeding Green Nation

Inside the new Saquon Barkley deal | Pro Football Talk

Dallas Cowboys history of big extensions to two players from same draft | Blogging The Boys

Bills, LB Terrel Bernard agree on four-year, $50M extension | NFL.com

Lions, LB Derrick Barnes reach 3-year extension, source says | ESPN.com

Browns owner Jimmy Haslam declines meeting with Myles Garrett amid All-Pro DE’s trade request | NFL.com

Daniel Jeremiah's top 50: 2025 NFL Draft prospect rankings 3.0 | NFL.com

BBV mailbag​

Have a Giants-related question? E-mail it to [email protected] and it might be featured in our weekly mailbag.

BBV YouTube​

You can find and subscribe to Big Blue View YouTube from the show’s home page

BBV on X: Follow @BigBlueView | Ed Valentine: @Valentine_Ed | Threads: @ed.valentine | Bluesky: @edvalentine

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Source: https://www.bigblueview.com/2025/3/...-jameis-winston-jonathan-allen-more-headlines

 

[New York Giants]

Mock offseason plan for the New York Giants

Let’s help Joe Schoen build a roster Brian Daboll can win with. | Photo by Ed Mulholland/Getty Images

On the Sunday before free agency begins, we offer GM Joe Schoen a blueprint

With NFL free agency beginning on Monday, rather than give you just my weekly Giants mock draft I thought this would be a good opportunity to lay out a full offseason plan for constructing the team’s 2025 roster.

A mock draft will be included, along with some salary cap moves and free agency signings. I will use the Spotrac roster manager values for cuts, restructures and signings.

Salary cap stuff​

As of Friday, the Giants had $47.078 million in top-51 salary cap space, per Spotrac.

Cuts​

PK Graham Gano:
2025 cap savings ($3.165 million) | Dead cap ($2.5 million)

I like Gano and he was outstanding for the Giants when healthy. But, he has not been healthy since 2022, will be 38 this season and it’s time for the Giants to try and find a younger, healthier kicker.

DT Rakeem Nunez-Roches
2025 cap savings ($3.6 million) | Dead cap ($1.433 million)
[NOTE: These are pre-June 1 cuts, giving the Giants additional money to spend in free agency].

Those two moves would bring the Giants to an estimated $53.843 million in cap space. As of right now, though, it does not seem like either move is on the horizon for the Giants.

I am not cutting inside linebacker Bobby Okereke. Whatever is going on between Okereke and the Giants, the team needs to figure it out. They can’t keep hemorrhaging good players. They have to find a way to get the kind of production from Okereke he showed in 2023 that he is capable of.

Restructures​

The Giants are in reasonably good shape entering free agency with the $47 million they have to spend. The Gano and Nunez-Roches cuts I made push that above $53 million. The $47 million number is 14th in the NFL, and the $53 million would be 10th in overall cap space.

Obvious restructure candidates for the Giants would be Brian Burns, Dexter Lawrence and Andrew Thomas. Giants GM Joe Schoen has historically not restructured contracts until he was more or less out of options to save cap space, so I have my doubts that he will touch any of these contracts before free agency.

This is my offseason plan, though. I am not going to go crazy here, but I am going to restructure Burns’ deal. The 2025 cap hit on his four-year, $97.5 million contract is $29.75 million, highest on the team.

The restructure allowed by Spotrac’s management tool cuts the base salary to a minimum, uses signing bonus, adds a void year and ultimately drives the cap hit for 2025 to $12.886 million.

That is a cap savings of roughly $16.8 million that puts the Giants’ cap number at $70.707 million. As of Friday, that would put the Giants sixth in the league in cap space entering free agency.

Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images
Goodbye, Darius Slayton!

Giants’ free agents​

The Giants have 20 unrestricted free agents after they re-signed long-snapper Casey Kreiter. Here are the ones I would realistically re-sign:

P Jamie Gillan (Contract: Two years, $4.5 million | 2025 cap hit: $2.295M)
[The Giants agreed with keeping Gillan, signing him to a three-year contract]
TE Chris Manhertz (Contract: One-year, $1,197,500 vet minimum deal)
[Manhertz is returning to the Giants on a one-year deal]
Edge Azeez Ojulari (Contract: Two years, $15.133 million | Signing bonus: $5.599M | 2025 cap hit: $3.97M)
[NOTE: This is a Spotrac Market Value deal]
I have doubts that the Giants will sign Ojulari. I may not have have re-signed him, either, had Harold Landry been released by the Tennessee Titans just a little bit earlier. I was too far into this to change directions. I could easily see the Giants and Landry, who played for defensive coordinator Shane Bowen in Tennessee, working out a deal. At this price, though, I will keep Ojulari rather than have to draft or buy a replacement in free agency.
PR Ihmir Smith-Marsette (Contract: One-year, $1,197,500 vet minimum deal)
Edge Tomon Fox (Contract: One-year, $1.030M ERFA deal)
[NOTE: The Giants apparently agreed with this one, since Fox signed his tender on Friday].
CB Divaad Wilson (Contract: One-year, $1.030M ERFA deal)
LB Dyontae Johnson (Contract: One-year, $960K ERFA deal)

I did not re-sign wide receiver Darius Slayton. I would like to, but I think Slayton really wants to move on and will likely find a better deal elsewhere.

All of that leaves me with $62.627 million in cap space entering free agency.

Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images
Russell Wilson

Free agency​

I am not trying to construct a full 53-man roster as I do this. I will try to allocate resources to the positions of need.

Quarterback​

Plan A — Russell Wilson

Let’s recognize that the momentum for the Giants signing Aaron Rodgers is increasing. I honestly believe at this point that it is going to happen, and I get it. Even at 41 and after the disastrous two seasons with the New York Jets, Rodgers is the most talented veteran quarterback on the market.

Signing him would be a desperation play by Schoen and Brian Daboll. The reality, though, is that the Giants’ decision-making duo is desperate. The last two seasons have been dreadful and if 2025 resembles them they will be looking for work when the year ends.

Rodgers is also desperate to wash away the stain on his legacy of his time with Gang Green. Rodgers might be willing to play on a one-year deal of about $25 million with a low base salary, big signing bonus to drive the cap hit down and a boatload of incentives to try and rescue his reputation and the careers of Schoen and Daboll.

After recently mocking the idea of the Giants signing Rodgers, though, I cannot put my name on a plan that endorses the Giants signing him.

So, I will turn to the 37-year-old Wilson as the next-best available option. I don’t believe Wilson is a player who can truly lift the talent around him at this point in his career. He does, though, fulfill Schoen’s mission to get better play out of the position than the Giants had a year ago.

I also think Wilson would willingly help whatever young quarterback joins him in New York.

I am not crazy about Wilson’s price tag (two years, $77.466 million, per Spotrac), but that is what I will go with here. Spotrac puts the signing bonus at $27.66 million. I am adding void years to the deal (Spotrac’s calculator doesn’t say how many — it just allows ‘add void years’). The result, per Spotrac’s calculator, is that Wilson’s 2025 cap hit would be just $6.263 million. I can live with that.

For this to happen, of course, the Pittsburgh Steelers need to be willing to move on from Wilson.

Plan B — Jameis Winston

I have said before that if the Giants are going all-in to move to No. 1 and get Cam Ward that I believe Winston would be an excellent veteran to pair with him.

Winston is far from a perfect quarterback, which is why he has been bouncing around the league in recent years. He’s prone to incredible highs and really deep lows. If you sign him and plan to play him, you just have to live with the rollercoaster ride.

Winston, though, has similarities to Ward in arm strength, play style and confidence in his ability to make throws. As a former first overall pick and a player considered to be a good teammate wherever he has gone, Winston could be an excellent mentor for Ward. He would also allow Daboll and offensive coordinator Mike Kafka to run the same offense for both quarterbacks.

A Spotrac Market Value contract for Winston is two years, $12 million.

Offensive line​

Schoen made several moderately-priced moves to upgrade the line with capable veteran players a year ago. The GM has admitted that right guard is the spot that needs to be filled.

It’s go big or probably get fired for Schoen this offseason. With that in mind, I’m signing the player thought to be the best free agent guard on the market. That would be 27-year-old Will Fries, who spent the first four years of his career with the Indianapolis Colts.

I will give Fries a Spotrac Market Value deal of four years, $56.517 million. I will add void years. Combined with a $17.52 million signing bonus, that drives Fries’ 2025 cap hit down to just $4.674 million.

The swing tackle position seems to be a perennial issue for the Giants. I am probably trying to draft a developmental tackle who might take over for Jermaine Eluemunor at right tackle in 2026, but I am going to try to go into the season with a better plan than Josh Ezeudu/Chris Hubbard as potential replacements if Andrew Thomas is injured again.

Jedrick Wills played right tackle in college, but was moved to left tackle by the Cleveland Browns. He never lived up to his status the 10th pick the 2020 NFL Draft. If he is willing to try to rebuild his career by accepting a swing tackle role I would jump at that.

Wills’ Spotrac Market Value is just one-year, $2.216 million. That’s nothing.

Finally, if he is willing to return as a guard-center backup I would bring Greg Van Roten back. His Spotrac Market Value is one-year, $2.23 million. Again, not hard to swallow for a quality backup.

Wide receiver​

The Giants are almost certainly losing Slayton. Jalin Hyatt has yet to show that he can be a relied upon part of the receiving corps, much less take on the WR2 role opposite Malik Nabers. That makes wide receiver a sneaky need for the Giants, and one that will probably be best filled in free agency.

My big move here is one that purely revolves around the short-term nature of the situation Schoen and Daboll are in.

I am signing 31-year-old Stefon Diggs because of his familiarity and previous success with Daboll in Buffalo. I know he’s coming off a torn ACL, that he might not be quite what he once was and that he is a guy who can be vocal when he doesn’t get the ball. At a Spotrac Market Value of one-year, $13.462 million, though, I can do that. Spotrac figures the cap hit for Diggs once you factor in signing bonus to be $5.832 million. Again, palatable.

I am taking one more swing at wide receiver, as well. Josh Palmer, who will be 26 this season, has 182 receptions in four seasons with the Los Angeles Chargers. His best year was 2022, when he had 72 catches for 769 yards. He has had 33, 38 and 29 receptions his other three seasons.

At a Spotrac Market Value of three years, $12.799 million I will take a flier on the idea that Palmer might be more reliable than Hyatt. With a signing bonus of $4.864 million, Palmer’s 2025 cap hit is only $2.791 million.

---

FINANCIAL UPDATE: That takes care of the offensive side of the ball. With all of those additions, I am still at $44.893 million in available cap space. The Burns restructure paid for almost all of the moves, in terms of 2025 cap space used.

---

Now, let’s get to the defense.

Photo by Ric Tapia/Getty Images
B.J. Hill

Defensive line​

The 2025 NFL Draft class is deep in defensive tackle talent. I think it would be unwise, though, for the Giants to simply rely on the draft to replenish an interior defensive line that doesn’t have nearly enough talent.

If the Giants want to move up to No. 1 to select Ward as their quarterback of the future, they are going to need to fork over some of their draft assets to the Tennessee Titans in exchange. So, doing what they can in free agency to get Dexter Lawrence some desperately-needed help would be wise.

Jonathan Allen was just released and chasing the 30-year-old two-time Pro Bowler is an intriguing thought. Right now I have no idea what his market value might be. Thus, I am sticking to my original plan.

I’m reuniting the Giants and B.J. Hill, signing the former Giants’ third-round pick to a Spotrac Market Value deal of two years, $18.046 million. His cap hit would be $3.781 million once a signing bonus of $5.053 million is accounted for.

I am also adding six-year veteran Teair Tart, who spent the first four years of his career with the Titans and thus is familiar with Bowen. He is a nice depth piece who comes with a price tag of one-ear, $5.089 million. Spotrac has his cap hit at $2.799 million.

For what it’s worth, those signings would not prevent me from dipping into the draft to grab another interior defender.

Cornerback​

The Giants must make a big play for a quality cornerback to both take pressure off and to mentor 2023 first-round pick Deonte Banks. There are a LOT of options.

D.J. Reed makes sense. The former 49er, Seahawk and New York Jet spent the last three seasons with the Jets, where new Giants defensive backs coach Marquand Manuel was the safeties coach.

Carlton Davis of the Detroit Lions makes sense, except that the 28-year-old has missed 20 games over the past four seasons and has never played more than 14 games in a season.

Paulson Adebo makes some sense because he is a 26-year-old who is just coming into his prime and is unlikely to be as costly as some of the other options.

Byron Murphy Jr. of the Minnesota Vikings, who is coming off a career year, is another potential target. The 27-year-old would be the most expensive option, though, and it’s known that the Vikings would like to bring him back.

My choice? Charvarius Ward.

The 28-year-old seven-year veteran had a down season in 2024 with the San Francisco 49ers. It is unfair to judge him on that, though, as the midseason death of his nearly 2-year-old daughter weighed heavily upon him.

One thing I have been told about Ward is that he would like to get away from the West Coast and have a fresh start somewhere away from the things and places that remind him of his daughter.

Pro Football Focus selected the Giants as Ward’s best free-agent landing spot. PFF said:

Ward’s overall body of work speaks for itself, as he has posted strong 80.0-plus grades in both 2022 and 2023, showcasing his reliability as a top-tier cornerback.

The Giants’ secondary desperately needs reinforcements after finishing 26th in team coverage grade last season. Defensive coordinator Shane Bowen’s heavy use of Cover-3 (35.6%, eighth-highest in 2024) aligns well with Ward’s strengths. Over his career, he’s allowed just 0.83 yards per coverage snap in Cover-3, making him an ideal candidate to help revitalize New York’s defensive backfield.

Spotrac assigns a market value of three years, $45.863 million to Ward. With a $16.97 million signing bonus and void years added to Ward’s deal, his 2025 cap hit would be only $4.649 million.

Safety​

The Giants have watched Julian Love and Xavier McKinney sign elsewhere the past couple of offseasons and go on to star for the Seahawks and Packers, respectively. They are likely to let Jason Pinnock go in free agency after Pinnock seemed out of place in Bowen’s defensive scheme in 2024.

Jevon Holland of the Miami Dolphins is the big fish in the free agent safety pond, but I don’t expect Schoen to change his positional value philosophy and suddenly throw gobs of money at a safety. It is, though, a position that needs to be added to.

I will do so with Talanoa Hufanga, a 26-year-old who has four years of experience with the 49ers.

Like with Ward, Pro Football Focus sees the Giants as Hufanga’s best landing spot:

After battling injuries over the past two seasons, Hufanga’s performances have dipped, culminating in a career-low 57.8 overall grade in 2024. At just 26 years old, however, the safety still has time to regain his form and showcase his playmaking ability.

The Giants, looking to stabilize their secondary, recently hired former Jets safeties coach Marquand Manuel. Manuel has had success with single-high defensive schemes, something the Giants may hope to emulate with Hufanga.

Perhaps signing two players who played together with the 49ers for the past few seasons would help smooth any transition to the East Coast.

The Spotrac Market Value for Hufanga is three years, $35.715 million. With a signing bonus of $10.358 million and no void years, his 2025 cap hit would be $4.622 million.

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FINANCIAL UPDATE: All of that leaves me with a comfortable $33.091 million in cap space heading into the season. I have not added a placekicker or considered other small, ancillary moves. With this amount of cap room, though, that should be enough to get through the season and perhaps make a significant move at some point if and when an opportunity presents itself.

---

Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images
Cam Ward

Mock draft​

Round 1 (No. 1) — Cam Ward, QB, Miami​

Yes, a trade up with the Titans. Every indication at this point is that either the Titans will pick Ward first overall, or they will trade down to No. 3 and the Giants will select Ward. Until something happens that changes my mind, my plan will be for the Giants to do the best they can at quarterback in free agency and then take the big swing this offseason requires for Ward.

The trade:
Giants get: Pick No. 1 (Ward)
Titans get: Picks 3 and 34, plus a 2026 second-round pick

Using the NFL Mock Draft Database simulator I could have done this deal for slightly less than that, but I think the simulator is a tad generous to the Giants here when it suggests that just 3 and 34 would be enough. So, I added the 2026 pick.

Round 3 (No. 65) — Marcus Mbow, OL, Purdue​

I was hoping for a trade-down partner here to recoup an asset after giving up the 34th overall pick. I didn’t find one, and addressed the offensive line.

[Prospect Profile]

The rest of the draft​

I accepted a small trade down with the Las Vegas Raiders, giving up 4.104 in exchange for 4.107, 5.144 and 6.218. Volume for a team that needs young, inexpensive depth.

Round 4 (No. 107) — Shemar Turner, DT, Texas A&M [Prospect Profile]
Round 4 (No. 134) — Dorian Strong, CB, Virginia Tech
Round 5 (No. 144) — Ollie Gordon, RB, Oklahoma State [Prospect Profile]
Round 5 (No. 155) — Hollin Pierce, OT, Rutgers
Round 6 (No. 218) — Oronde Gadsden II, TE, Syracuse
Round 7 (No. 221) — Barryn Sorrell, edge, Texas
Round 7 (No. 248) — Andres Borregales, PK, Miami

Source: https://www.bigblueview.com/2025/3/...for-the-new-york-giants-nfl-free-agency-draft

 

[New York Giants]

Can you guess this former first round pick in today’s in-5 trivia game?

Think you can figure out which Giants player we’re talking about? You’ll get five clues to figure him out in our new guessing game!

We’re back for another day of the Big Blue View in-5 daily trivia game. Game instructions are at the bottom if you’re new to the game! Feel free to share your results in the comments and feedback in the Google Form.

Today’s Big Blue View in-5 game​

If you can’t see the game due to Apple News or another service, click this game article.

Previous games​

Saturday, March 8
Friday, March 7
Thursday, March 6

Play more SB Nation in-5 trivia games​

NFL in-5
MLB in-5
MMA in-5

Big Blue View in-5 instructions​

The goal of the game is to guess the correct Giants player with the help of up to five clues. We’ll mix in BOTH ACTIVE AND RETIRED PLAYERS. It won’t be easy to figure it out in one or two guesses, but some of you might be able to nail it.

After you correctly guess the player, you can click “Share Results” to share how you did down in the comments and on social media. We won’t go into other details about the game as we’d like your feedback on it. How it plays, what you think of it, the difficulty level, and anything else you can think of that will help us improve this game. You can provide feedback in the comments of this article, or you can fill out this Google Form.

Enjoy!

Source: https://www.bigblueview.com/2025/3/9/24378941/sb-nation-daily-trivia-game-in-5-bbv-mar-9

 

[New York Giants]

7-round New York Giants mock draft: Pro Football Network gives Giants QB Cam Ward

Photo by David Rosenblum/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Is this PFN trade up scenario really viable?

There has recently been a groundswell of support for the idea that the New York Giants will engineer a trade up to No. 1 in the 2025 NFL Draft with the Tennessee Titans to select Miami quarterback Cam Ward.

That is exactly what happens in the latest 7-round mock draft from Pro Football Network, this one by Ian Cummings.

Cummings has the Giants getting Ward from Tennessee in exchange for picks 3, 65 and a 2026 second-round pick. He writes:

There’s no runaway franchise-caliber quarterback in the 2025 NFL Draft, but if you’re going to bet on anyone, bet on Cam Ward with his hyper-elite creation capacity, untethered arm elasticity, and zealous competitive chip.

Valentine’s View: If you read Big Blue View regularly, you know I am in favor of this move before we find out what happens in free agency. I believe the Giants will have to give up pick No. 34 instead of pick No. 65, but keeping the 34th overall pick certainly is a bonus.

Let’s look at the rest of Cummings’ haul for the Giants.

Round 2 (No. 34) — Luther Burden III, WR, Missouri​

Cummings writes:

Luther Burden III’s slide stops in an exciting place. With Ward and Malik Nabers in New York, Burden can function as the team’s elite RAC receiver underneath.

Valentine’s View: Burden is a talented player and the Giants certainly need a No. 2 wide receiver opposite Malik Nabers. I can’t, though, support taking a wide receiver here with several offensive linemen, defensive linemen and cornerbacks available who would be worthy of this pick.

The rest of the draft​

Round 4 (No. 104) — Logan Brown, OT, Kansas

I have not studied Brown. I love the idea of snagging a developmental offensive tackle, though, and am intrigued by Brown’s scouting report.

Traits-based developmental tackle with only one full season as a college starter. Brown is high-cut but is unusually quick laterally and athletic in space for a player who plays so upright. He gets to zone-blocking landmarks and is forceful with move contact, but his pad level limits his consistency as a man-to-man blocker. His protection improved rapidly in-season, but he still needs to develop an inside-out approach with pass sets and learn to recognize rush games more quickly. The bad looks really bad but the good can look really good. The ceiling and floor are both moving upward and Brown has early swing tackle value with a chance to develop into an NFL starter.

Round 4 (No. 134) — Ty Robinson, DT, Nebraska

Another player I am not familiar with. Again, though, I love the idea and the scouting report.

Bully with a roughshod playing style that forces blockers to match his physicality. Robinson is built for the trenches with the versatility to play in odd or even fronts. He’s first into contact with his hands and mitigates average knee-bend with brute force in his upper half. He’s powerful to set edges but lacks length to control and quickly shed NFL blockers. He’s an effort rusher with active hands who can exploit a weak edge and thrive in gaming fronts but possesses average creativity. Robinson might not be a star, but his effort, strength and demeanor could make him a productive pro for years to come.

Round 5 (No. 155) — Damien Martinez, RB, Miami (FL)
Round 7 (No. 221) — Daniel Jackson, WR, Minnesota
Round 7 (No. 248) — Jacob Gideon, OL, Western Michigan

Source: https://www.bigblueview.com/2025/3/...pro-football-network-gives-giants-qb-cam-ward

 

[New York Giants]

2025 NFL Draft prospect profile - Danny Stutsman, LB, Oklahoma

Photo by John Korduner/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Could Stutsman further reinforce the Giants’ linebacker corps?

The defensive line class, and the defensive tackles in particular, is widely regarded as one of the best in recent memory.

There are so many potentially great defensive linemen in this year’s class that they’re overshadowing many of the other positions. But in the shadow of those linemen is a very solid linebacker class as well.

Oklahoma linebacker Danny Stutsman has been on the periphery of the linebacker class, but he’s a versatile and well-rounded defender who could have some big fans in coaching staffs around the League.

The New York Giants have had their best linebacker play in years thanks to Bobby Okereke and Micah McFadden. But could the Giants further reinforce that strength if the value is right?

Prospect: Danny Stutsman (28)
Games Watched: vs. Iowa State (2023), vs. Texas (2023), vs. Tennessee (2024), vs. Texas (2024)

Measurables​

Kent Lee Platte | RAS.football

Strengths​

Best traits

• Football IQ
• Instincts
• Athleticism
• Versatility

Stutsman is a good-sized, smart, athletic, and instinctive linebacker.

Stutsman has good size for a modern linebacker at 6-foot-3, 233 pounds with plenty of speed for the position with a 4.52-second 40. Stutsman plays very fast, and is a very high-IQ player with great processing speed as well as instincts.

He does a great job of communicating with his teammates throughout the play. He helps to line them up and make adjustments in the pre-snap phase, as well as after the snap. Stutsman has great mental footwork and does a good job of anticipating the play as well as taking an accurate first move. He consistently moves toward the direction of the play in the opening moments of the play, which further boosts his play speed.

Stutsman is a versatile linebacker who can play inside or outside and is a factor on all three downs. He’s able to come downhill to play the run or rush the passer through the A and B gaps, or around the edge. He also does a great job of getting depth in his zone drops and has good awareness in space. Stutsman does a good job of reading quarterbacks’ eyes and is able to pick up receivers as they enter his zone of coverage.

Weaknesses​

Worst traits

• Agility
• Change of direction

Stutsman’s greatest weakness is that while he’s a good – or even very good – athlete, he’s something of a linear athlete.

He has some stiffness in his lower half that can show up throughout his game. He can struggle to change directions quickly when matched up in coverage against more athletic skill position players. Likewise, particularly agile running backs can make him miss if he has to adjust quickly in a short area.

Stutsman’s relative lack of agility can also cause him to take worse angles and occasionally miss tackles. He takes good, smart angles when he has the time and space to do so, but they suffer when he has to change direction quickly.

Stutsman would also likely be best in a defense that allows him to flow to the ball or shoot gaps, as opposed to routinely taking on blocks from offensive linemen. He doesn’t quite have the size or strength to consistently shed or make plays off of blockers in the manner of an “old school thumper”.

Game Tape​

(Stutsman is the Oklahoma linebacker number 28 with a red band and elbow brace on his left arm.)

Projection​

Stutsman projects as an important rotational linebacker at the NFL level with position and scheme versatility, and the upside to start in the right situation.

His instincts, football IQ, and athleticism give him the versatility to play inside or outside linebacker. Stutsman’s competitive toughness and hustle will earn him fans among coaching staffs.

His ability to shoot gaps to defeat runs behind the line of scrimmage could help his draft stock as the running game becomes more important. Likewise, he can play in blitz-happy schemes as well as more traditional schemes. Stutsman probably shouldn’t be used in man coverage, however he’s able to play zone coverage as well as spy the quarterback.

Stutsman should be a three-down linebacker in the NFL and will be tough to keep off the field.

Does he fit the Giants?
Yes

Final Word: A later Day 2 or early Day 3 value

Source: https://www.bigblueview.com/2025/3/...tutsman-lb-oklahoma-scouting-report-ny-giants

 

[New York Giants]

NFL free agency 2025: New York Giants expected to pursue Eagles’ cornerback

Isaiah Rodgers | Photo by Brandon Sloter/Getty Images

Giants could look to Philly to add to their defensive backfield

The New York Giants are expected to be aggressive in the cornerback market once the free agency negotiating period begins Monday at noon. One player expected to be on the Giants’ radar is Philadelphia Eagles’ cornerback Isaiah Rodgers.

Rodgers, 27, is a four-year veteran who was a sixth-round pick by the Indianapolis Colts in 2020. He played three seasons for Indianapolis, and sat out the 2023 season due to a violation of the NFL’s gambling policy.

Rodgers played in 15 games with three starts for the Eagles in 2024. In his career, he has played in 60 regular-season games with 13 starts.

Though he is only 5-foot-10, 170 pounds, Rodgers has been almost exclusively a wide cornerback. He has 1,295 snaps playing outside, per Pro Football Focus, with only 49 career snaps in the slot.

While Rodgers profiles more as a depth signing, the Giants do figure to also look for help at the top of the cornerback market.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Tennessee Titans, New England Patriots and Carolina Panthers are all expected to be in play for Rodgers.

Source: https://www.bigblueview.com/2025/3/...ed-to-pursue-eagles-cornerback-isaiah-rodgers