New York Giants

The New York Giants were unable to land Matthew Stafford this offseason since the veteran restructured his contract to remain with the Los Angeles Rams, but the NFC East team reportedly still has big plans at the quarterback position.

Connor Hughes of SNY reported Sunday that New York hopes to land the No. 1 pick of the 2025 NFL draft from the Tennessee Titans and then use that selection on a quarterback. What's more, it also plans on pairing the rookie with a veteran.

Hughes listed Aaron Rodgers, Sam Darnold and Russell Wilson as potential options, although he cited multiple sources who said the latter was "the most likely outcome."

The #Giants took their big swing on Matt Stafford. That failed. Now multiple sources expect them to concentrate their efforts on getting the No. 1 pick from Tennessee, and pairing the QB they select with a veteran.

That could be Aaron Rodgers, but I'm told the former… pic.twitter.com/7fTYjp9HKn

— Connor Hughes (@Connor_J_Hughes) March 2, 2025

As for the plan if the Giants did land the No. 1 pick, Hughes said everyone he has spoken to lists Cam Ward ahead of Shedeur Sanders. That would line up with the evaluation from B/R's NFL Scouting Department, which ranked the Miami product as the best quarterback of the draft and ahead of the Colorado signal-caller in its latest big board.

The thing with taking a quarterback at No. 1 overall is that said prospect likely won't be expected to sit on the bench for long as the future face of the franchise.

And quarterbacks with the resume of Rodgers or Wilson likely won't want to be replaced at all either, at least as long as they are under contract.

Perhaps the Giants can come to some type of understanding with Rodgers or Wilson and sign them to a one-year deal knowing they will turn the offense over to the No. 1 pick in his second season. But even that wouldn't take into account the surrounding noise if the veteran struggled at all and fans started calling for Ward, assuming the Miami product was the top pick.

At his best, Wilson was one of the top quarterbacks in the league with the Seattle Seahawks.

However, he went 11-19 as a starter for the Denver Broncos in 2022 and 2023 before finishing 26th in the league in QBR with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2024, per Pro Football Reference. He had issues throwing over the middle of the field at times and didn't look like the version of himself that was so dominant in Seattle. 

He will also turn 37 years old during the 2025 campaign and likely isn't going to improve moving forward.

It might be something of a messy situation for the Giants to bring in a less-than-peak version of Wilson, who is still a high-profile quarterback generating headlines, and then use the No. 1 pick of the draft on the same position.

But that reportedly remains a possibility.

New York Giants general manager Joe Schoen is trying everything possible to find a new starting quarterback in 2025.

Speaking to reporters at the NFL Scouting Combine on Tuesday, Schoen said the Giants are exploring "all the different avenues" when asked about their options at quarterback.

The Giants have become one of the most fascinating teams to watch this offseason. They need to add at least two quarterbacks this offseason because they don't have anyone under contract for next season. Drew Lock, Tommy DeVito and Tim Boyle are all free agents.

The Giants are among the teams that have shown interest in trading for Matthew Stafford, per Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer. It's unclear how much the Los Angeles Rams are actually considering trading the 37-year-old, though.

NFL Network's Tom Pelissero said on the Feb. 21 episode of The Rich Eisen Show that the Rams have given Stafford's agent permission to speak with other teams about a trade, but he said their "priority" is to bring him back (starts at 1:40 mark).

💻 @TomPelissero

Could Matthew Stafford really end up playing somewhere other than Los Angeles in 2025? When might a decision be made on his #NFL home?#NFLCombine #NFLDraft pic.twitter.com/T4KFvFZHbN

— Rich Eisen Show (@RichEisenShow) February 21, 2025

If a Stafford trade doesn't materialize, the Giants could look at Aaron Rodgers, Russell Wilson, Sam Darnold, Kirk Cousins and Justin Fields as free-agent or trade targets.

If the Giants don't like any of those options, they're in a potentially good spot to draft one of the top quarterbacks in the 2025 class. They own the No. 3 pick after the Tennessee Titans and Cleveland Browns.

Even though the Titans and Browns also need quarterbacks, there seems to be some skepticism right now that both will target the position in the draft. B/R's NFL scouting department has Tennessee selecting Cam Ward with the top pick, followed by Abdul Carter going to Cleveland in its most recent mock draft.

That would leave Shedeur Sanders on the board for the Giants if they like him enough to build their franchise around him. They do have a decent offensive foundation in place with Malik Nabers as the No. 1 receiver and a good left tackle in Andrew Thomas when he's healthy.

One benefit of having so many options potentially available is the Giants can do almost anything and it would make sense for them. They just need someone who can provide stability at the quarterback position after using four different starters over the past two seasons.

Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders has become the popular choice for the New York Giants as they look to address the position this offseason, according to ESPN's Jordan Raanan.

"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," Raanan reported. "The Giants had Super Bowl-winning quarterback Kurt Warner as their starter when they drafted Eli Manning with the No. 1 pick."

Another reason New York can't put all of its eggs in the Sanders basket is that he may not be available when it's on the clock with the No. 3 pick. The Tennessee Titans and Cleveland Browns are ahead of the Giants, and both could plausibly select the Buffs star.

That would be a bit of a disaster because Sanders and Cam Ward are generally considered to be head and shoulders above the next best quarterbacks available. Ohio State's Will Howard is third at the position on Bleacher Report's 2025 big board but ranks 51st overall.

From that standpoint, covering their bases makes obvious sense for the Giants.

The free-agent signing period officially opens March 12, more than a month before the draft. New York doesn't want to wait until April 24 to see whether Sanders will be available because a lot of the best QBs in free agency might be gone by then.

Trading for Los Angeles Rams star Matthew Stafford is a popular choice, too, and Raanan reported the Giants "at least inquired about Stafford's availability last season around the trade deadline."

pic.twitter.com/6zW8bXxvAz

— Daniel Jeremiah (@MoveTheSticks) February 18, 2025

Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated reported the Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers and Las Vegas Raiders are among the other teams showing some interest in the two-time Pro Bowler, though.

While plenty of questions remain as to how New York will identify a long-term successor for Daniel Jones, the franchise's draft preference looks pretty clear.

Former New York Giants wide receiver Plaxico Burress is cashing in after a reported record-setting sale at an auction.

Burress' Super Bowl ring from the New York Giants' victory over Tom Brady and the New England Patriots in 2007 sold for $280,600 through Heritage Auctions. Per Darren Rovell of Cllct, the sale marks the highest ever for a Super Bowl player ring, surpassing the $230,000 paid for Lawrence Taylor's Giants Super Bowl ring:

BREAKING: Plaxico Burress' Giants Super Bowl ring has just sold for $280,600 at @HeritageAuction.

It is the highest ever paid for a Super Bowl player ring, beating out Lawrence Taylor's Giants ring from Super Bowl XXV ($230K). pic.twitter.com/VZeFb8pVJt

— Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) February 23, 2025

Burress was one of the heroes of Super Bowl XLII, as he caught the game-winning touchdown pass from Eli Manning in the fourth quarter to secure a 17-14 win for the Giants. The game-winning drive also featured the famed "Helmet Catch" by fellow receiver David Tyree. New England was looking to complete an undefeated season before New York's miraculous victory.

Burress retired from the NFL after the 2013 season. He also suited up for the Pittsburgh Steelers and New York Jets over his 12-year career.

New York Giants owner John Mara might be having nightmares right now.

If he can even sleep at all.

Hard Knocks cameras famously captured Mara saying he would have a hard time sleeping if star running back Saquon Barkley ended up with the Philadelphia Eagles when it was clear he wasn't returning to the Giants.

All Barkley did in his first year with New York's NFC East rival was win a Super Bowl.

Naturally, social media didn't waste an opportunity to poke fun at the Giants as the Eagles put the finishing touches on their 40-22 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LIX on Sunday:

SAQUON GETS SUPER BOWL RING IN HIS FIRST SEASON WITH THE EAGLES 🔥💪

THE MISSING PIECE FOR PHILLY 🧩 pic.twitter.com/o3xA4NzxVZ

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) February 10, 2025

https://twitter.com/MetsRuinedJake/status/1888768393328652726

John Mara is not getting a WINK of sleep tonight 😴 pic.twitter.com/AR1uxAz0W9

— ESPN BET (@ESPNBET) February 10, 2025

Joe Schoen and John Mara better be watching the super bowl… Saquon should still be a giant pic.twitter.com/Y9TEihZw8H

— Beezos (@beezos24) February 9, 2025

John Mara for the next month. pic.twitter.com/luGOB4dfOZ

— CogginToboggan (@CogginToboggan) February 10, 2025

John Mara to Joe Schoen after seeing Saquon win the Super Bowl! #SuperBowlLIX #Eagles #giants pic.twitter.com/mCNzXaGtoZ

— Coach Defense (@LockDownDefense) February 10, 2025

John Mara & Joe Schoen watching Saquon win the Super Bowl w Eagles pic.twitter.com/Ciz2LqDs76

— Matthew Piper Jenks 🧲 (@MattPiperJenks) February 10, 2025

John Mara never gonna be able to sleep, and neither are Giants fans HAHAHAHAHAHAHA pic.twitter.com/QlLc9EidmP

— Tank Littere (@TankLittere) February 10, 2025

Could Joe Schoen have had a worse year?

• Saquon 2k yards, Eagles win SB
• McKinney all-pro, 8 INT’s
• Daniel Jones last 1.5 years on contract
• Giants go 3-14
• Giants franchise record losing streak
• Blow the 1st overall pick in week 17#Giants100 pic.twitter.com/5ENp3fT3i4

— Mike (@Mike_NYY) February 10, 2025

This photo from ESPN hits different man

Saquon Barkley was under appreciated on the Giants, started questioning himself, his confidence, is chased away by a new GM and then goes to the Eagles and absolutely crushes it leading a team to a Super Bowl win year 1. PSU legend. pic.twitter.com/P0jiJfNzH5

— Bobby Silver (@BobbySilver_) February 10, 2025

This is the worst era of being a Giants fan, idc what anyone says

— Alex Wilson (@AlexWilsonESM) February 10, 2025

This is all the giant’s fault.

— Jourdan Lewis (@JourdanJD) February 10, 2025

For as dominant as Barkley was throughout the season, he was relatively quiet in the Super Bowl.

He averaged just 2.3 yards per carry on the way to 57 rushing yards and didn't find the end zone. He was more dangerous as a pass-catcher with six receptions for 40 yards, although it was DeVonta Smith and A.J. Brown who caught the two touchdown passes from Jalen Hurts.

Hurts finished a game-high 72 rushing yards and a score on the ground as well and took home Super Bowl MVP honors.

Still, the Eagles likely wouldn't have even been in the Super Bowl without Barkley.

The Penn State product threatened Eric Dickerson's single-season rushing record of 2,105 yards on his way to 2,005 rushing yards, 278 receiving yards and 15 total touchdowns. Had he played in the final game of the regular season, he may have set the record.

Barkley also ran for 205 yards and two scores in the NFC Divisional Round win over the Los Angeles Rams before tallying 118 yards and three touchdowns on the ground in the NFC Championship Game win over the Washington Commanders.

It was a dream season for the former face of the franchise for the Giants, which is exactly what Mara feared.

Plaxico Burress caught what proved to be the game-winning touchdown in one of the most famous Super Bowls in NFL history to end the 2007 season, and now New York Giants fans have the opportunity to own the ring he earned if they have tens of thousands of dollars sitting around.

Burress' Super Bowl XLII ring is listed for auction on Heritage Auctions and, as of Sunday at 11:30 a.m. ET, has a high bid of $67,500 with 13 days remaining.

Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk noted "it'll surely go much higher than that" seeing how Martellus Bennett's Super Bowl LI ring recently sold for more than $88,000.

Burress didn't just win the ring, he was a major part of the effort.

His touchdown catch from Eli Manning with 39 seconds remaining came just two plays after David Tyree's famous helmet catch and gave the Giants the lead for good. New York's win prevented Tom Brady and the New England Patriots from completing an undefeated season with a Super Bowl title.

The Patriots entered Super Bowl XLII undefeated, but that ended with some help from Eli Manning and David Tyree's helmet. 😤 @Giants pic.twitter.com/MA9SUX4evG

— NFL (@NFL) February 12, 2022

While Brady won seven Lombardi Trophies in his legendary career, the loss still stands out as one of the most memorable games he ever played.

As for Burress, he suited up for the Pittsburgh Steelers, Giants and New York Jets during his career from 2000 to 2012. That was the one Super Bowl he won, although he reached the playoffs five other times.

The New York Giants had a difficult time replacing Saquon Barkley's locker room presence after he joined the Philadelphia Eagles.

Ryan Dunleavy of the New York Post reported Saturday that Barkley's "vocal leadership in difficult times was missed" in New York during the 2024 season.

After spending the first six years of his career with the Giants, the 27-year-old signed a three-year contract worth $37.75 million with the Eagles in March 2024.

---

This article will be updated soon to provide more information and analysis.

For more from Bleacher Report on this topic and from around the sports world, check out our B/R app, homepage and social feeds—including Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and TikTok.

Russell Wilson will likely have multiple strong suitors in 2025 NFL Free Agency.

Jeremy Fowler of ESPN reported that the Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback is "open" to a return to the Steelers but will take a wider approach in the open market. While the Las Vegas Raiders have been floated as a potential destination for Wilson, Fowler noted the New York Giants have also been linked to the signal-caller.

Wilson loved his season in Pittsburgh and is open to returning but is taking a see-what-happens approach to it all," Fowler wrote. "Ex-Pete Carroll assistants believe Wilson could coexist with Carroll for the Raiders, too, having mended fences from their Seattle days. But others around the league are skeptical of the pairing. Wilson has also been connected to the Giants by a few people this week. He visited with the Giants last free agency, and New York is on his radar as a potential option in 2025."

---

This article will be updated soon to provide more information and analysis.

For more from Bleacher Report on this topic and from around the sports world, check out our B/R app, homepage and social feeds—including Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and TikTok.

A great deal of debate was reportedly had among Pro Football Hall of Fame voters before deciding against making former New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning a first-ballot Hall of Famer on Thursday.

Speaking to ESPN's Jordan Raanan, ESPN NFL reporter and Hall of Fame voter Sal Paolantonio said, "To me, Eli was absolutely a first-ballot guy. There was a vigorous discussion about his candidacy—he has a lot of support to get into Canton, hopefully sooner rather than later."

Tight end Antonio Gates, defensive end Jared Allen and cornerback Eric Allen were the only modern-era finalists elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Thursday, along with wide receiver Sterling Sharpe, who was a chosen among the pool of senior finalists.

---

This article will be updated soon to provide more information and analysis.

For more from Bleacher Report on this topic and from around the sports world, check out our B/R app, homepage and social feeds—including Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and TikTok.