The New York Giants will be in another off-season transition with so many question marks ranging from possible changes in the front office to the player’s roster. Currently, the Giants are sitting on the draft board with the second overall pick, behind the Las Vegas Raiders. With four games remaining, a lot can happen to altar the final standings, but let’s assume that the Giants do indeed finish with the second overall pick.
It has been reported that the Giants would look for a quarterback in free agency as well as in the draft to serve as a bridge until that quarterback is ready to play. With that being said, here are my top 4 possible options for the Giants could explore for that bridge Quarterback:
- Sam Darnold (Minnesota Vikings): Darnold had a nightmarish career in the NFL before the 2024 season. The Minnesota Vikings signed Darnold despite the notion of drafting JJ McCarthy as a bridge until the young quarterback was ready to be the starter. As fate would have it, McCarthy had a season ending injury and Darnold is having a fairy tale season for the Vikings. Spotrac has projected Darnold to get roughly $33M per in free agency and throw in the fact that the Vikings organization favors a Darnold/Vikings reunion in 2025.
- Justin Fields (Pittsburgh Steelers): Currently Fields is only 25 years old, and many believe he still has room to improve. With Russell Wilson success this season, it’s expected that both parties (Wilson and Ownership) would welcome a return in 2025 despite at age 36. Fields would give the Giants a dual threat at a much lower price tag (Spotrac projecting $9-10M per) while giving the rookie quarterback plenty of time to develop at his own pace. However, would Fields except a deal knowing he will be viewed as a bridge quarterback?
- Jameis Winston (Cleveland Browns): Winston would give the Giants a gun-slinger mentality at quarterback that they haven’t had in a very long time. However, along with that aerial display, interceptions will certainly follow. Winston has taken full advantage of his opportunity with the season ending injury to Deshaun Watson. Would Winston be a good fit for the Giants? Would Winston go to the Giants knowing that he is a temporary replacement? He certainly wouldn’t break the bank (Spotrac $4-6M per).
- Derick Carr (New Orleans Saints): Carr is an interesting candidate as a possible bridge quarterback for the Giants as it’s been rumored that the Saints could release Carr before March 15th to avoid paying Carr $13M if he is still on the roster. Carr could be an excellent Bridge quarterback giving the Giants ample production, while their rookie quarterback develops.