The New York Giants are staring at yet another quarterback dilemma, and Matthew Stafford’s name has been circulating as a potential solution. With the Los Angeles Rams reportedly open to trade discussions if they can’t agree to a contract extension with Stafford, the Giants have naturally been linked to the veteran passer.
Given the team’s desperate need for stability at quarterback, adding a Super Bowl-winning signal-caller seems like a no-brainer on paper.
However, not everyone is on board with the idea. Former NFL MVP and longtime New York sports radio personality Boomer Esiason is sounding the alarm for Giants fans, using the Aaron Rodgers disaster with the New York Jets as a cautionary tale. While Rodgers' situation isn’t a one-to-one comparison with Stafford’s, Boomer’s argument is simple: Is committing big money to a 37-year-old quarterback really the right move for a team still trying to rebuild?
Esiason’s skepticism comes at a time when Giants fans are split on what the franchise should do next. Should they go all-in on a veteran like Stafford, or stay the course and look to the draft for a long-term answer?
Boomer Esiason isn't sold on Stafford to the Giants
Esiason didn’t mince words when discussing the Stafford-Giants rumors on Boomer & Gio on WFAN:
“He’s a really good player, but you’re going down the road of a 37-year-old quarterback paying him north of $40 million a year, which is what it’s gonna take. To me, as much as I understand why the Giants would consider it if they are indeed considering it...you’re talking about older players and paying them a lot of money.”
Boomer pointed to the Rodgers-Jets debacle as a warning for the Giants. The Jets acquired Rodgers in 2023 in the hopes of making a Super Bowl run, only for the four-time MVP to suffer a season-ending Achilles injury just four snaps into his New York tenure.
The move backfired spectacularly, leaving the Jets in quarterback purgatory. This past season went alright for the vet, but after a 5-12 disappointing season, he was ultimately released after just two seasons.
Esiason isn’t saying Stafford will suffer the same fate, but the parallels are there: a veteran QB, a massive contract, and a team rolling the dice on short-term success. The difference? Stafford doesn’t come with the same locker-room drama or drama energy that Rodgers has been known for. If anything, Stafford’s reputation as a leader and tough competitor should work in his favor.
At the end of the day, the Giants have a decision to make. If the price is right—meaning they don’t give up premium draft capital or cripple their salary cap—a move for Stafford could make sense. But if the Rams are looking for a big return, or if Stafford’s contract demands get out of control, the Giants might be better off exploring other options.
Esiason’s concerns aren’t unfounded, but Stafford is still a far cry from the Rodgers situation. Whether general manager Joe Schoen and head coach Brian Daboll see him as the right guy for their offense remains to be seen.