The New York Giants finally gave their fans something to get excited about when they signed Russell Wilson to a one-year deal. Say what you want about whether he’s cooked or not—it’s still a major step up from the quarterback roulette the team played last year. Pair him with Jameis Winston and maybe a rookie in the 2025 NFL Draft, and suddenly the QB room feels like a real, functioning operation.
But here’s the problem: it’s hard to throw touchdowns and be consistent when you’re constantly peeling yourself off the turf.
Even if Wilson starts, or Shedeur Sanders shows up in April, or Famous Jameis gets the nod, none of it matters if the Giants don’t protect them. The offensive line has been a major Achilles’ heel of this team for years. And while Joe Schoen’s done some patchwork to the O-line this offseason, he still hasn’t addressed its most glaring need.
It's time for the Giants to give Brandon Scherff a call
Yes, the Giants brought back Aaron Stinnie and Greg Van Roten. They added tackles Stone Forsythe and James Hudson III. That’s all well and good. But let’s not act like this unit is fixed.
According to OL+ metrics, New York ranked 28th in the league last year with a “D-” grade, giving up one of the worst pressure rates in football. And that was with some fairly mobile quarterbacks.
The interior of the line, in particular, still needs a stabilizing force. Insert 10-year veteran guard Brandon Scherff.
The 33-year-old remains one of the best veterans left on the market and is somehow still unsigned. He’s played three straight seasons without missing a game, brings five Pro Bowls and an All-Pro nod, and has experience in multiple systems. He’s not what he was with the Washington Commanders, but he’s still better than most of what the Giants have to offer.
He’s also the exact kind of player who helps quarterbacks stay clean and upright. This isn’t just about Wilson or Winston either. If the Giants draft a rookie like Sanders or even make a move for a Day 2 name like Jalen Milroe or Jaxson Dart, you don’t want that guy’s first NFL memory to be getting put through the Earth by a 300-pound defensive lineman.
This line needs a grown-up in the room. Scherff would bring instant credibility to a unit that’s been trying to figure it out on the fly for far too long. And with how aggressive this team has been since the season ended, it’s not like they can play the “we’re waiting on value” card anymore.
Some will argue when Andrew Thomas is healthy, the offensive line isn’t all that bad. And while that might be true, the problem is he hasn’t been fully healthy since 2022. So why bank on that changing now? Instead of crossing their fingers, the Giants should add insurance.
That way, when they inevitably have to slide a guard out to tackle, they’re not left scrambling to patch up the interior again. So go get Scherff. There’s no reason not to.