Danielle Parhizkaran/NorthJersey.com / USA TODAY NETWORK

Giants Eyeing Former First-Round QB as Potential Aaron Rodgers Backup Plan

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Michael Gallagher | Last updated Mar 17, 2025 10:31 AM ET

A week into NFL free agency, and the New York Giants still don’t know who their starting quarterback will be next season.

The team re-signed backup Tommy DeVito on March 8, making him the only QB the Giants have under contract in 2025 after Drew Lock hit the open market.

And as New York continues to host other free-agent passers, some believe the team is being h eld hostage by free agent Aaron Rodgers, who seems to be taking his sweet time in deciding what he wants to do next season.

The Giants, Pittsburgh Steelers and Minnesota Vikings are all believed to be in the mix for the four-time MVP.

Some analysts are convinced Minnesota is where Rodgers ultimately wants to end up, and if true, it would behoove the Giants to start forming a backup plan in case they lose out on the 41-year-old Rodgers, which is exactly what appears to be happening.

“Free-agent QB Jameis Winston is scheduled to visit the #Giants on Tuesday, per sources,” NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero tweeted on Monday. “While the New York braintrust waits for Aaron Rodgers’ decision, it's continuing to visit with alternatives: Joe Flacco, Russell Wilson and now Winston, the former No. 1 overall pick.”

Winston, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2015 draft, started seven games for the Cleveland Browns last season after Deshaun Watson went down with a season-ending injury. He’s started 17 games over the last four seasons after signing as a backup with Cleveland and New Orleans, and he’s got 87 starts under his belt over his 10-year career.

Though the Giants also brought in two other QBs for visits recently, they could have competition from the Browns for Wilson. He visited the team a few days ago and some around the team believe he could be signed to compete with former first-rounder Kenny Pickett for the starting job in 2025.

With Winston departing from the Browns weeks ago, the Giants could turn their attention to Winston if Wilson ends up in Cleveland and Rodgers in Minnesota.

“We're going to look for the best player available that can help us win games in '25,” Giants general manager Joe Schoen recently told reporters. “That's what we're going to do.”

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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