Well that was fun while it lasted...
Just for a brief moment, it looked like the New York Giants might land a quarterback who could bring some stability to this franchise. The Matthew Stafford dream was fun while it lasted, but now it’s officially dead. But boy, was it fun for that week or two. What a ride.
According to NFL insider Jordan Schultz, Stafford and the Los Angeles Rams will be finalizing an agreement to keep him in L.A., despite what was described as a contentious negotiation process. The Giants and Raiders both made serious pushes, with reports of a two-year, $100 million projected offer on the table, but in the end, it was all leverage.
BREAKING: The #Rams and QB Matthew Stafford are finalizing an agreement to keep him in Los Angeles, sources tell @NFLonFOX.
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) February 28, 2025
Despite the relationship getting contentious at times, and significant interest from the Raiders and Giants, both sides were able to hash things out for… pic.twitter.com/CSQNZxpkqs
The Rams opened the door for trade talks, let Stafford explore his market, and ultimately worked things out to keep him right where he was. Well played.
The reality? This was always going to be a long shot. The Rams never had a true replacement lined up, and Stafford had no real reason to leave LA for colder, less glamorous pastures. It was nice to pretend. But now, it's back to square one and time to move on.
Giants must pivot after Matthew Stafford heads back to the Rams
With Stafford off the board, the Giants now essentially have three quarterback options:
- Free Agency: Aaron Rodgers is rumored to be interested, but is that really worth entertaining? The more realistic options are Sam Darnold, Justin Fields, or Russell Wilson, none of whom feel like true long-term solutions. So, a short-term deal feels best.
- Stay Put at No. 3: If they believe in Cam Ward or Shedeur Sanders, they can let the board fall to them and take whoever’s available. Penn State's Abdul Carter's injury status could throw a wrench into several teams' draft strategies. So who knows what'll be left on the board when the Giants get called?
- Trade Up to No. 1: The Tennessee Titans are open for business with the No. 1 overall pick, and if the Giants want full control over their QB choice, this is the move to make. No questions asked.
The pressure is now on general manager Joe Schoen to find a real answer at quarterback.
The Giants have cycled through Daniel Jones, Drew Lock, Tommy DeVito, and Tim Boyle over the last two years, and they really can't afford not to get somebody worth rooting for. Time is running out. Stafford staying in L.A. is a setback, but there’s still time to get this right—if that's something this organization is capable of.
Seeing is believing, so until something happens, it's hopes and prayers and business as usual.