INDIANAPOLIS – In all likelihood, Matthew Stafford isn’t going anywhere. That’s the sentiment shared by multiple NFL teams. This permission the Rams granted him to talk to others? Those SNY touched base with feel it’s nothing more than a means to figure out his value. He and L.A. will agree to a new deal once he does.
Because … duh. The Rams are a Super Bowl team with Stafford. Stafford’s best chance of another ring is with the Rams. Common sense prevails (eventually).
In no world should that stop Joe Schoen from making a call, though. The Giants general manager boasted from the NFL Scouting Combine his infatuation with “big swings” at the quarterback position. There’s no bigger this offseason than Stafford.
So if there’s a chance to get him, try to get him.
Within reason, that is.
“Whoever gives us the best chance to win,” Schoen said. “That’s what it is.”
The Giants are not a quarterback away from contention. Internally they feel they’re further along, which is fine, but even those viewing life behind blue lenses know there are many, many holes still to fill. Quarterback is one of them. Quarterback is not the only one.
The Giants need interior defensive linemen. They need linebackers. They need a cornerback. They need a safety. They need a right tackle or right guard (wherever Jermaine Eluemunor isn't). They need insurance at left tackle (can’t trust Andrew Thomas). They need a No. 2 receiver. They need a No. 2 running back. You can make an argument they need to improve some of the positions they believe they’re set at (left guard, center, tight end, defensive end, second cornerback).
But that doesn’t matter. It shouldn’t stop the Giants from pursuing Stafford. Again: Within reason.
A report surfaced in recent weeks that centered around the Rams' desire for the No. 3 draft pick in exchange for Stafford. That’s laughable. Not that they’d want it – of course they do. The Giants just aren’t parting with that for a 37-year-old. No chance. But if something happens between Stafford and the Rams in the coming weeks that fractures their relationship further and pushes divorce to the forefront, the two sides could work out something reasonable, but on the Giants terms.
The Jets acquired Aaron Rodgers from the Packers three years ago. Rodgers was older (39), but coming off two MVP seasons in his previous three years. The Jets got the Packers' first (No. 15) and fifth-round selections, in addition to Rodgers. The Packers got the Jets first-round pick (No. 13), second, and sixth-round pick in 2023, and a conditional second-round pick in 2024. That pick could become a first if Rodgers hit performance incentives.
That was a haul. The Jets also fancied themselves contenders with Rodgers – that’s why they had to part with as much as they did. The Giants can be aggressively controlled – especially because acquiring Stafford means paying him a deal worth near $50 million annually (Rodgers took a pay cut to play for the Jets).
So offer a third-round pick this year and a conditional second-round pick next that can become a first based on Stafford’s individual accolades and (not or) team performance.
There isn’t a soul on planet Earth who should have an issue with that. And no – it should not stop the Giants from pursuing Cam Ward or Shedeur Sanders. Schoen should still be ultra aggressive in trying to get one if he believes they are a franchise quarterback. Draft them, then let them sit behind Stafford for one, two years. Let them learn. Don’t force them in too early.
And while the future is grooming, watch the other pieces around the quarterback flourish. Someone of Stafford’s caliber would elevate the play of those around him, as Schoen alluded to in Indianapolis (albeit not by name because he can’t talk about a player under contract with another team). He’d help receivers Malik Nabers and Wan’Dale Robinson. He’d help tight end Theo Johnson. He’d help the line. He’d help running back Tyrone Tracy. He’d help the defense take the field with a lead – an alien concept in recent years. He would make everyone around him better.
This isn’t about Stafford taking the Giants to the Super Bowl. He’s not going to in 2025. It would take a herculean effort to even get them to the playoffs. You put Stafford on the Giants and they’re still a worse team than the Cowboys, Eagles, and Commanders. But it’s not about that – it’s about improving this team from the dumpster fire they’ve become.
Stafford would absolutely do that. And, when he eventually gives way to Ward or Sanders, they’d step into a team mature from Stafford’s mentoring. They themselves would be better off having learned behind him.
There’s a chance that package makes Les Snead and Sean McVay keel over laughing. Schoen might not finish his sentence before the two erupt. They might not even laugh – just hang up. That’s fine, too. This isn’t about mortgaging anything for a quarterback. This isn’t about believing you’re something you’re not. It’s not about falling back on the band-aid fix that’s disrupted any semblance of competent team building this team might have flirted with in recent years.
This is about taking a chance, if it works for the Giants. If the Mara and Tisch families don’t have an issue writing the check on Stafford’s new contract, and it doesn’t cost a massive draft haul, there is no downside.
You move forward with it. If an issue pops up at any point – move on.
You won’t know which direction it’s headed until the call is made.
Good news for the Giants: Schoen seems prepared to make it.