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Giants Predicted To Pivot From Matthew Stafford To Bold Trade

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Anthony Licciardi | Last updated Mar 1, 2025 1:30 PM ET

The New York Giants’ 2025 pipe dream is dead. The Los Angeles Rams have enticed quarterback Matthew Stafford to stay home, restructuring his deal to ensure he ends his career in Pacific Time. That also officially takes him off the trade market, meaning the one win-now quarterback New York could actually have faith in is no longer available.

Subsequently, the Giants will enter the offseason with a gaping hole where a franchise quarterback should be and limited paths to filling it. A veteran bridge quarterback will be added in free agency out of pure necessity, but the most likely option for the team’s Week 1 starter will be found with a top-three pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.

That isn’t without risk, either. With the third pick, New York runs the risk of getting left at the altar, settling for a non-quarterback if passers go with the first two picks to the Tennessee Titans, Cleveland Browns, or an aggressive quarterback-needy team.

The only way to make sure that doesn’t happen, rather than leaving it up to fate, is to make a move up to No. 1. The Giants are predicted to pivot off Stafford with a bold draft trade for that very reason in CBS’s recent mock draft.

“The Giants were one of the teams interested in Matthew Stafford before he and the Rams decided not to part ways,” Kyle Stackpole wrote. “They're also reportedly interested in Aaron Rodgers, who has made multiple calls to the team. But in this mock draft, New York turns its attention to the draft. And with general manager Joe Schoen and head coach Brian Daboll badly needing to produce a successful season, they can't afford to miss. That's why they leave nothing to chance, moving up two spots and getting the quarterback they want, which in this case is Cam Ward.”

Many people will inherently be opposed to trading up. New York needs more assets, not fewer, and the quarterback class might not be that good! However, this is a decision that must be judged by its process.

Everyone is going to have different opinions of Ward and Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders. Some think both will be franchise quarterbacks, others wouldn’t touch them with a 10-foot pole, most somewhere in the middle. But if the Giants are trading up, the assumption will be they love at least one of them.

Further, a trade shouldn’t be expensive. Other teams have been extorted for their desperation under center, but it’s clear the Tennessee Titans, who trade down to No. 3 in this scenario, want either edge rusher Abdul Carter or corner/receiver Travis Hunter. They can’t trade down past New York and guarantee one of those blue-chip prospects fall.

There might be a standoff, sure, but both teams are incentivized to get a deal done, and Schoen’s job security (or lack thereof) should push a deal across the finish line.

Ward might not be your preferred passer, but there’s little denying the physical tools that could generate interest and convince a team to pour additional assets into acquiring him.

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

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