It feels like we say this every day, but the New York Giants’ quarterback search is an absolute mess. They swung and missed on Matthew Stafford, Justin Fields, and Sam Darnold. They’re waiting on Aaron Rodgers, who is too busy deciding between retirement or joining the Minnesota Vikings.
They’ve met with Russell Wilson, Joe Flacco, and Jameis Winston, none of whom exactly scream “franchise quarterback.” And to make matters worse, the Tennessee Titans reportedly won’t trade the No. 1 overall pick, which kills New York’s rumored plan to move up for Cam Ward.
So where does that leave them? Nowhere.
Instead of waiting around for Rodgers to play decision roulette or hoping the draft board falls their way (it likely won't), the Giants should make an aggressive move and trade for New England Patriots quarterback Joe Milton III.
Funny enough, the Patriots want a third-round pick, and the Giants just so happen to have an extra third-round compensatory pick courtesy of Xavier McKinney. That’s convenient.
Patriots' asking price for Joe Milton III is revealed
According to Toni Grossi of ESPN 850 Cleveland, the Pats are looking for a third-round pick in exchange for Milton:
"There is no evidence they are discussing it. One drawback would be the cost. Sources closer to the situation than me expect the asking price of the Patriots to be a third-round pick."
While that might seem incredibly steep for a guy with one career NFL game under his belt, that one game—a 22-of-29 performance for 241 yards and a touchdown in a Week 18 win over Buffalo’s backups—was enough to turn heads. But, yes it's steep. But he's a young quarterback, so...
Look, this is a desperate quarterback market. The Giants, Cleveland Browns, and Pittsburgh Steelers all need help, and the entitlement of these veteran quarterbacks is preposterous. Literally walking around like they're God's gift to mankind. Rodgers is single-handedly holding the entire quarterback market hostage because he lives for the attention. Meanwhile, Wilson isn't budging until he gets one more year on his contract. It's childish. You'd think they'd be grateful teams are still interested in them.
That makes Milton one of the few realistic options available. He'd come in on Giants terms and Giants terms only.
Would giving up a third-rounder be a slight overpay? Maybe. Possibly. Probably. But the G-Men can always start negotiations with a conditional fourth-round pick in next year's draft that turns into a third based on playing time or performance. Either way, Milton is far more intriguing than throwing a hail mary on an aging veteran.
New York simply cannot go into 2025 without a legitimate plan at quarterback. It just cannot happen. Right now, they have no guarantee they’ll get a top quarterback in the draft, no guarantee Rodgers picks them, and no guarantee Wilson or Winston would even work out.
Milton, on the other hand, gives them a young, cost-effective option with elite physical tools. He has a cannon for an arm, impressive athleticism, and tangible upside. No, he’s not a finished product, but at least he’s interesting and someone Big Blue could develop instead of just renting a washed veteran.
Giants general manager Joe Schoen has to do something before this team is left empty-handed. Trading for Milton isn’t a perfect solution, but it’s a heck of a lot better than sitting on their hands and watching the quarterback market collapse around them.