Giants could find their own Sam Darnold in a once-hyped QB seeking redemption

As the New York Giants prepare for their final game of the 2024 season and put an awful year to bed, preparations for the 2025 season are already underway. In just a few days, we’ll know where the Giants will be picking in the 2025 NFL Draft, which could heavily influence their plans at quarterback.

If the Giants manage to fall out of the top few picks—and therefore miss out on prospects like Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders or Miami’s Cam Ward—it could leave them scrambling to figure out their quarterback situation, especially since Daniel Jones is no longer in the picture.

Many veterans have been mentioned as potential short-term solutions, or "bridge quarterbacks." The idea would be to sign a veteran on a short-term deal while drafting a quarterback who can develop and eventually take over.

Over the past few months, names like Kirk Cousins, Sam Darnold, and Justin Fields have been floated as potential bridge options for the Giants in 2025, whether through free agency or a trade. As Week 18 approaches, another intriguing veteran has emerged: Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Carson Wentz.

Once viewed as the Philadelphia Eagles’ franchise quarterback and the No. 2 overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft, Carson Wentz has become a journeyman. After stints with the Indianapolis Colts and Washington Commanders, he’s been relegated to backup duties. While his days as a starter have been filled with inconsistency, his career isn’t over yet, and he could use a chance to redeem himself.

Wentz’s current situation draws parallels to other quarterbacks who found redemption after being written off. Players like Baker Mayfield and Sam Darnold, both of whom were once relegated to backup roles, managed to revive their careers on short-term deals.

Mayfield, for instance, turned a one-year opportunity with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers into a long-term deal after stints with the Cleveland Browns, Carolina Panthers, and Los Angeles Rams. Similarly, Darnold made the most of his opportunity with the Minnesota Vikings after failing with the New York Jets and Panthers.

Now with the Chiefs, Wentz has spent the past two seasons learning from two of the best offensive minds in the league—Sean McVay and Andy Reid—and sitting behind one of the game’s greatest quarterbacks, Patrick Mahomes. If Wentz has absorbed anything from his time in Los Angeles and Kansas City, it could be evident in his start this weekend against the Denver Broncos.

Before injuries derailed his career, Wentz was an MVP candidate with the Eagles and seemed destined for greatness. However, the story of the Eagles’ championship run is led by Nick Foles, not Wentz. Since leaving Philadelphia, he has struggled to regain his form.

In 2021 with the Colts, Wentz threw for 27 touchdowns, but Indianapolis missed the playoffs after faltering late in the season, leading to his departure. In 2022, he spent a forgettable year with Washington, and since 2023, he has made just one start, with the Rams. In that start, Wentz went 17-for-24 with 163 yards and two touchdowns in a win over the San Francisco 49ers. Now with Kansas City, Wentz has thrown only two passes this season.

If Wentz can perform well against the Broncos, it might earn him another opportunity to start in 2025. For the Giants, who are likely exploring all options, Wentz could be a low-cost, low-commitment option—similar to what they’ve done previously with Tyrod Taylor or Drew Lock.

At this stage, the Giants have no clear path for their starting quarterback in 2025 and beyond. They must keep their options open, and that includes considering Carson Wentz as a bridge quarterback. If he’s within their price range and can provide a steady presence while a young quarterback develops, it might be worth taking a chance.

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