New York Giants’ general manager Joe Schoen told reporters Tuesday that the team would be addressing the quarterback position, and I might actually be optimistic for Giants football for the first time in years.
“We’ll address the position,” Schoen told the media. “It can be through free agency. Doesn’t preclude us from doing it in the draft as well.”
I hesitate to actually believe this, because the Giants have consistently let me down since they last won the Super Bowl 12 years ago, but it’s hard not to be excited given how hyped the upcoming draft’s quarterback class is.
The Giants currently hold the sixth overall pick, so they may not be in a position to take any of the consensus top three QBs, but there’s always the possibility they could trade up.
Virtually every draft analyst has the Chicago Bears selecting USC’s Caleb Williams if they decide to hold on to their first overall pick, though there’s still the possibility they trade out of that spot.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – NOVEMBER 18: Caleb Williams #13 of the USC Trojans passes the ball during the first half of a game against the UCLA Bruins at United Airlines Field at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on November 18, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images
After that, most analysts see the Washington Commanders and New England Patriots selecting some combination of LSU’s Jayden Daniels and UNC’s Drake Maye. (RELATED: Superstar NFL QB Compares Himself To Jesus’ Dad When Discussing Raising His Wife’s Son)
If all teams hold on to their picks, that would leave the Giants with few options at six that include Michigan’s J.J. McCarthy and Washington’s Michael Penix Jr. (Still my favorite name ever.)
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – JANUARY 7: Mac Jones #10 of the New England Patriots looks on during a game against the New York Jets at Gillette Stadium on January 7, 2024 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. Billie Weiss/Getty Images
BUT, I would not rule out Schoen making a deal for the Patriots’ pick if the guy they really like falls to them.
With an extra second rounder they got from the Seahawks in the Leonard Williams deal, they have ample capital to move up. Though New England is in an eerily similar situation to the Giants — they also have a young, underperforming first-round QB named Jones — if they don’t like the remaining options at three, they could find a good partner with the Giants and move down three spots.
HOUSTON, TEXAS – JANUARY 08: A view of the back of Michael Penix Jr. #9 of the Washington Huskies in the third quarter against the Michigan Wolverines during the 2024 CFP National Championship game at NRG Stadium on January 08, 2024 in Houston, Texas. Carmen Mandato/Getty Images
While a lot of these trade scenarios are unlikely, it’s at least encouraging to hear the GM acknowledge that SOMETHING needs to be done. The Giants have been toiling in mediocrity for over a decade now, and quarterback play has been a major reason why. It’s time for them to find the next guy, and it’s looking less likely that Daniel Jones is it.