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Matthew Stafford and the Rams could hold the key to what the Titans decide to do with the first pick in the NFL Draft

Originally posted on A to Z Sports | By Evan Winter | Last updated Feb 26, 2025 6:35 PM ET

Four days ago, the Los Angeles Rams gave star quarterback Matthew Stafford and his camp permission to seek a trade.

Since then, a few teams have been associated with his name through speculation, but it's still early and there's a lot to figure out because the acquiring team is also going to have to give Stafford a raise and he reportedly wants $50 million per year.

The New York Giants are a team that's been linked to Stafford and it makes sense when looking at its current quarterback situation (or lack thereof) and its nearly $50 million in salary cap space.

When it comes to the Giants, things are beginning to turn away from speculation and lean into reality. That's because Giants representatives met with Stafford in Indianapolis on Wednesday, which led a very-well established Giants insider to voice a rather interesting statement that also involves the Tennessee Titans and the decision of whether or not to trade out of the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.

Here are two scenarios of which I am pretty certain: The Giants will make a strong push that is ongoing to trade for Matthew Stafford. If the Giants don't get Stafford, I believe prior to the April 24 NFL Draft, they will trade up to No. 1 with the Titans for their QB...

... If they lose out on Stafford, if there ends up that something's to be lost, Giants have to make sure they get their choice of QB even if they sign anyone other than Stafford. - Art Stapleton, USA Today

If they lose out on Stafford, if there ends up that something's to be lost, Giants have to make sure they get their choice of QB even if they sign anyone other than Stafford. https://t.co/e0Ip6kXsQD
— Art Stapleton (@art_stapleton) February 26, 2025

The Giants have a full slate of draft picks, plus an extra fourth- and seventh-rounder in 2025, to go along with a full slate in 2026. Meaning, they have plenty of capital to make a deal to move up from No. 3 to No. 1 if they want to. There's always the chance a player is included in the deal, as we saw with D.J. Moore in the Chicago Bears-Carolina Panthers trade from a couple years ago.

Brian Callahan and Mike Borgonzi both made it clear on Tuesday that the Titans are far from making a decision on what they want to do and that makes total sense. I mean, quarterbacks haven't even worked out at the combine, yet, so why rush? Borgonzi did say he's received some calls regarding a trade for the No. 1 pick, though, so the conversation has started, at least.

Either way, it's clear Stafford is a huge domino and how he falls could certainly impact what the Titans decide to do.

This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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