The New York Giants’ quarterback carousel is spinning again, with fans dreaming of Shedeur Sanders or Cam Ward swooping in to save the franchise. But Giants legend Tiki Barber isn’t buying into the hype. His advice? Pump the brakes.
Barber, who knows a thing or two about the pressures of playing in New York, recently cautioned fans against believing a top-tier quarterback will magically solve the Giants’ problems. “If you put a quarterback in a crappy situation, terrible coaching, team, depth, whatever situation, they are going to fail,” Barber said. “Even if he’s the greatest thing in the world, and you put him in a terrible situation, he is going to fail. Period.”
Tiki Barber warns Giants fans "obsessing" over drafting a QB in this coming NFL Draft pic.twitter.com/HlWTinpOzK
— WFAN Sports Radio (@WFAN660) December 30, 2024
For a franchise with issues at nearly every level—coaching uncertainty, a patchy roster, and a suspect offensive line—Barber’s comments hit hard.
And after a Week 17 win over the Indianapolis Colts, the Giants’ position in the 2025 NFL Draft just got a lot more complicated. Once sitting in the driver’s seat for the top pick, they’ve fallen to No. 4, creating more obstacles in their quest for a franchise quarterback.
The Giants Need a Foundation, Not Just a Flashy Fix
Barber’s point is simple: quarterbacks aren’t miracle workers. Even elite talents like Patrick Mahomes or Joe Burrow need support systems to succeed. The Giants? They’re nowhere close to providing that.
Their Week 17 victory was a double-edged sword. Drew Lock’s breakout performance and Malik Nabers’ electric 171-yard, two-touchdown day were highlights in an otherwise forgettable season. But that win pushed New York out of pole position for the No. 1 pick. Now, teams like the New England Patriots, Tennessee Titans, and Cleveland Browns hold the top three slots, likely controlling the fate of Sanders, Ward, and two-way star Travis Hunter.
Fans hoping for an instant turnaround with a rookie QB are now left to ponder what’s next. The Giants’ offensive line, a glaring weakness, would be a nightmare for any young signal-caller. As ESPN’s Dan Orlovsky pointed out, “The Giants organizationally should be a line-of-scrimmage team, and they haven’t been. Before they figure out who the quarterback is gonna be, they’ve gotta get back to being physical at the line of scrimmage.”
There’s also the question of coaching stability. Brian Daboll’s future hangs in the balance, and if he’s replaced, the team will likely face another complete system overhaul. For a rookie quarterback, constant turnover in coaching staff and scheme is a recipe for disaster.
The Giants have some pieces to build around. Nabers has proven to be a legitimate star, and rookie running back Tyrone Tracy Jr. has flashed potential. But those bright spots are overshadowed by glaring holes elsewhere. The offensive line is in shambles, the defense can’t stop the run, and the team’s depth is razor-thin.
Without addressing these foundational issues, drafting a quarterback feels more like a band-aid than a solution. Barber’s warning is clear: the Giants need to focus on creating a stable environment before throwing a young QB into the fire—look at Jacksonville Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence (all the talent in the world, but his supporting cast hasn't allowed him to take the next step).
The Week 17 win complicates this path even further. At No. 4, the Giants may miss out on Sanders or Ward altogether, forcing them to consider other options like trading up or pivoting to free agency for a stopgap solution. Neither path inspires confidence for a franchise that desperately needs a long-term answer under center.
Barber’s message to fans is one of caution. A quarterback can only be as good as the team around him, and right now, the Giants aren’t providing much to work with. Unless they take a holistic approach to their rebuild, any hope of turning things around will remain a pipe dream. The Giants don’t just need a quarterback—they need an identity. And without it, they’ll be stuck in this endless cycle of mediocrity.