Copr. GMEN HQ 2025
With the beginning of NFL free agency less than a month away, quarterback-hungry squads will desperately start to clamor for the attention of several veteran signal callers, particularly since this year’s draft looks to leave most of them starved. While the New York Giants are one of the few teams primed to walk away with the future of their franchise secured via a shiny new rookie under center in April, they may also look to make a move in March to find a mentor/general replacement option for said QB.
Copr. Sports Illustrated 2025
This week, a new name was thrown into the ring in the form of the current QB of the Los Angeles Rams, Matthew Stafford. The one-time Super Bowl champion saw his brother-in-law, Chad Hall, hired by Big Blue this week as the team’s new assistant quarterbacks coach. Many have speculated that this may be a way to recruit Stafford into the ranks at East Rutherford, and the Giants community has been excitedly conjuring mock trade offers for the gunslinger on social media. Today on Giants Fare, we explore the best strategies to bring Stafford into the fold, as well as discuss how his presence might affect one of the three potential QB’s the Giants are expected to select in the draft.
What should we give L.A.?
Copr. Sporting News 2023
Whether he’d be helpful or not, there’s no question Stafford is in the twilight of his career. While he still competes at a high level, it’s also important to remember he just turned 37 less than a week ago (happy belated by the way), and he’s been playing with two all-pro caliber wideouts for his past two seasons in Los Angeles; not to mention a defense that has either been dominant or good enough recently to seal wins for the Rams with or without the great Aaron Donald. That being said, since Stafford wouldn’t become an unrestricted free agent until 2027 and New York would need to make a trade offer to acquire him, Big Blue shouldn’t be put in a position to have to give up a first round pick in either of the next two drafts in exchange for the two-time Pro Bowler. Most of the Giants community’s mock trade deals include one second and third round pick each and spread out across two seasons. The Giants are in no position to give up more than that considering the pressure being put on current management to ensure the future of the franchise over the next decade as well as to win immediately. If New York doesn’t wish to engage L.A. in a package deal with Stafford and wide receiver Cooper Kupp, which some have been speculating as a possibility, then there’s no reason a day one pick should be used on a QB approaching 40 years old despite his proven talents.
What Would Stafford’s Role be in New York?
Copr. AP News 2025
The Giants are almost certain to draft a quarterback in April, and with that would come extra responsibilities for Stafford. Whether it’s Sanders, Ward, or even Jaxson Dart, Stafford could act as an excellent mentor for any of these young prospects, with years of experience and success across multiple franchises. As for his actual play on the field, he’s shown this past season that he still has plenty left in the tank, taking the (tragically) Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles to the limit in this year’s divisional round on the road. Stafford also has a history of elevating any teams WR1 to a hall of fame caliber player; after all, Calvin Johnson and Cooper Kupp are first and second on the NFL’s all-time single-season receiving yards list, all of which was accomplished while Stafford was throwing them the ball.
There’s no doubt similar results could be expected from the Giants’ rising star WR Malik Nabers, who broke New York’s single-season reception record while catching passes from four mediocre to low-level quarterbacks. Nabers, as well as fellow receivers Wan’Dale Robinson and the still struggling Jalin Hyatt, could flourish under Stafford’s proven ability as an aerial threat.
How Would He Fit In?
Copr. Forbes 2025
While Stafford has never had a healthy season where he’s been considered a liability to his team’s offense, he would face an entirely new challenge in the Empire State. The Giants are reeling from their worst season in franchise history, and that was due in no small part to head coach Brian Daboll’s questionable play calling throughout the season; a role he looks to continue holding in 2025. New York also continues to struggle in their O-line room as they have been for a decade, and while they took steps in the right direction this year, it’s crucial that standout offensive tackle Andrew Thomas stays healthy as he can be a dominant anchor at his position. It’s also important that fellow tackle Evan Neal builds off his slight progression from this past season into becoming at the very least a consistently serviceable shield for Stafford or any QB for that matter. In the run game, while Tyrone Tracy Jr. is no slouch, he’s also no Kyren Williams either, and he’ll have to continue progressing forward in year two to keep the pressure off the aging Stafford and the passing attack. As for Stafford himself, he’d most likely be facing pressure to stay consistent in one of the league’s most critical markets throughout at least the end of his contract while his unknown successor watches on the sidelines, absorbing knowledge and quietly waiting for his opportunity to step on the turf at MetLife Stadium, assuming all this speculation comes to pass.
-Jack Barber
Works Cited
https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/nyg/single-season-receiving.htm
https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/S/StafMa00.htm https://www.pro-football-reference.com/leaders/rec_yds_single_season.htm
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