Alan Backman asks: I see a lot of people (including you in BBV) pushing Ward to Giants. Some are even suggesting trading up to No. 1. Can you walk me through the logic here? Let’s say you get Ward at 3. Odds are against instant success like Jayden Daniels. Plus, Ward plays “hero ball” leading to 8 fumbles in 2024. And Giants have tough schedule. Normally, you just accept this as growing pains. But issue is Mara basically told Schoen and Mara that they’ve got to win in 2025 or they’re gone. So what happens to Ward? He gets matched with a new GM & HC. That new management has no allegiance to Ward and may have a different idea of how to play the game. Isn’t that Daniel Jones 2.0? Isn’t it better to give Schoen & Daboll a veteran on a short-term deal. Maybe add a Day 2 rookie. If they can make it work then great. Otherwise you’ve got a clean slate (more or less) in 2026 with new GM & HC picking “their guy”. Make sense?
Ed says: Alan, let’s clarify something before we get fully into this discussion. Ward had 17 fumbles for his collegiate career in 57 starts. He had eight in 2023, but only two in 2022 and three this past season. That is one fumble every 3.35 games. Just for grins I looked up Patrick Mahomes’ career fumbles. He has 38 in 112 career regular season games, one every 2.95 games.
Please don’t try to come with the “you can’t draft Ward because he fumbles too much” argument. There is no basis for it.
Now for the rest of your question/argument.
The time for this discussion, honestly, was before John Mara made the decision to keep Joe Schoen and Brian Daboll for another year. I wrote posts both supporting the idea of bringing them back and making the argument for why they should be let go.
The idea of what would be best for a quarterback selected in Round 1 as the franchise quarterback of the future was central to why keeping them might be problematic. It does open the door to what happened to Jones, to what Caleb Williams is going through in Chicago, to what Bryce Young has experienced in Carolina.
That said, since the Giants kept them they cannot put them in restraints and tell them there are certain moves they can’t make because of their tenuous job statuses. Mara, in fact, said exactly the opposite when he met with the media after it was announced that the GM and head coach would be back.
“Obviously the number one issue for us going into this offseason, is to find our quarterback of the future,” Mara said. “Whether that be via the draft or acquiring a veteran, it’s going to be up to them to decide, ultimately.”
That is not an order to be passive. That sounds like a mandate to be bold and get the quarterback if they think the right guy — whether that is Ward or someone else — is available to them.
Ownership decided to keep Schoen and Daboll. Now, they have to let them do their jobs.
The most likely path is that the Giants get BOTH the veteran on a short-term deal — like Aaron Rodgers or Russell Wilson — and a highly-drafted rookie.
Bruce Noble asks: It seems the more things heated up in the Stafford discussion, the more Darnold faded to non-existent. I had to check the latest signings and even Google to verify that he is still unsigned. So, why are we even talking about Rodgers are not Darnold?
Ed says: Bruce, if you sign Aaron Rodgers, Russell Wilson or Kirk Cousins you are probably making a one-year commitment while also trying to draft your quarterback of the future. If you sign Sam Darnold, you are almost certainly signing him to a big-money, long-term deal to be your quarterback for the next several seasons.
The problem with that should be obvious. It could be great, but it could also be the Daniel Jones mistake all over again. The Giants gave Jones a big contract after he had his first good season in four years. He never matched it or improved on it. Darnold has had one good year in SEVEN seasons.
Are you buying that 2024 was the real Darnold? Or, were the first six seasons the real Darnold? Even if you think 2024 was the real Darnold, are you sure he can repeat that success away from Kevin O’Connell, Justin Jefferson and everything else he had in place in Minnesota?
Signing Darnold would be a massive gamble.
Russell Plotkin asks: Facing the specter of the Giants actually trading up to get a quarterback has me concerned. If the sword of Damocles was not hanging over Schoen and Daboll’s head I would like to think they’d be more concerned with adding to the paucity of talent on our Giants by drafting Hunter, Carter or Graham, or even trading back as far as six to get more picks. Sign a bridge quarterback (or two) for this year and take a flier on a lesser acclaimed QB on Day 2. Unfortunately, because of the talent chasm between us and the legitimate NFL contenders, compounded with what, theoretically at least, is the toughest schedule in the NFL, our record is going to stink anyway. We will have an excellent opportunity for one of the top picks again next year when the crop of quarterbacks is reportedly to be deeper and more talented. Since John Mara was afraid to “prematurely” pull the trigger on Schoen, wouldn’t it make more sense to ease the pressure on our GM this year by extending him one more year so that the above-suggested plan might be followed?
Ed says: Russell, things may play out the way you suggest in terms of the draft. Although I am not going to sit here in the first week of March before any real moves have been made and pre-emptively decide the Giants are going to stink.
To me, though, extending Schoen makes no sense. Mara cranked up the heat when he brought Joe Schoen and Brian Daboll back, demanding a better 2025. Why extend him now and cost yourself money when the possibility of firing him at the end of the year exists? I don’t get that at all.
David Silver asks: FollowingEli Manning has always been fun, certainly more fun than following I don’t know, Tom Brady. He is also not someone to speak outside the organization. So what do you make of his comments about Jaxson Dart? He volunteered to watch film and help the Giants on a QB choice if they asked. Then he said he didn’t really follow the new QB choices like Ward and Sanders, but specifically talked about his familiarity with Jaxson Dart, who broke his single season record atOle Miss, has been to the Manning camps, and who he speaks to and thinks can “make all the throws.” Is he just an Ole Miss alum who likes his old college team, or is he sending his old pro team a message?
Ed says: David, I wouldn’t go reading a bunch of things into this. As I recall, Manning was asked about Dart because it’s well known that the two have a relationship at some level. If the Giants ask him to study the other quarterbacks, I’m certain he will. And, I’m certain he will give them honest evaluations.
The only message he is sending to the Giants is that he’s willing to put in his $.02 if the front office wants it. I can’t read anything else into it.
Brian Misdom asks: If the Giants are unable to secure a QB of the future in this draft, do you view this offseason as a failure? Would Mara and Tisch?
We know Schoen and Daboll are on the hot seat and we have an obvious need at QB. While Schoen has said they won’t make decisions forsaking the future to protect their now, I have a hard time fully buying that.
They kicked the can last year and (correctly in my opinion) took BPA at 6 with Nabers. Could they do the same this year?
I feel they need some hope to attach to them since they may not get another offseason; thus a desperate trade up or reaching for QB3 depending on what the Titans andBrowns do.
Ed says: Brian, considering that John Mara said back in January that finding a quarterback of the future — veteran or rookie — was the biggest priority of the offseason I think it is something Schoen and Daboll have to do.
Could the Giants pass on a quarterback at No. 3? Absolutely. But, there has to be a young quarterback drafted at some point who at least gives them an option. Jaxson Dart, Jalen Milroe, Tyler Shough, Quinn Ewers, whoever it is.
Alan Glickenhouse asks: I’ve seen you banging the drum for a trade-up to No. 1 to pick Ward. Let’s say for whatever reason that doesn’t happen (e.g. Tennessee keeps pick or wants too much) and Ward is gone by pick No. 3. If the Giants have their eye on Dart as the consolation prize (and not Sanders), what do you think it will take to get him? Dart has been moving up the boards and is almost certainly going somewhere in Round 1. Certainly they could just pick him at No. 3, but that may be too much of a reach. How far could they trade back and feel good about him being there? Or, do you think it’s possible to use No. 3 on one of the top prospects (Carter or Hunter) and trade back up into Round 1 using No. 34 and other assets? Again, what do you think this would take? Obviously nobody knows for sure, just asking for your best guess.
Ed says: Alan, as I said above it is absolutely possible for the Giants to pass on quarterback at No. 3, or get shut out, and have to move on to Dart-Shough-Milroe-Ewers-Kyle McCord-Will Howard, etc.
I don’t know exactly what it would take to move back into Round 1. It would definitely take No. 34 plus other assets, depending how high you are trying to go.
The key for the Giants would be properly assessing where they need to get in Round 1 if Dart is their target. Free agency will be a determining factor. For me, the key team is the Pittsburgh Steelers at No. 21. Will the Giants end up thinking the Steelers would take a quarterback at No. 21, and believing they would have to get in front of Pittsburgh?
That remains to be seen.
Douglas Furth asks: The constant since SB46 has been ownership. To what extent do you believe that ownership is responsible for the team’s troubles post SB46?
Ed says: Douglas, of course ownership is ultimately responsible for the mess of the past few seasons. Even good owners, and I do believe at his core John Mara is a good owner who cares about the right things, have weaknesses and make mistakes.
Hiring mistakes at head coach and general manager have to be pinned on ownership. The Mara family is known for its loyalty, and sticking too long with a fading Eli Manning was Mara ‘s loyalty getting the best of him. So was hiring Dave Gettleman as GM rather than conducting a real search and finding the best candidate. Having Daniel Jones as quarterback for six years was, I believe, another situation driven by ownership.
The Giants should probably have gone outside their comfort zone for a GM long before they hired Joe Schoen, who has finally modernized many things about the way the Giants do business.
I say all the time the fact that the Giants are the only team in the league with a 50-50 ownership split complicates decisions. Because Steve Tisch, when he wants to exercise it, has just as much decision-making power as Mara does. That can lead to compromise decisions and a lack of clear direction.
The buck stops at the top, and ownership is the top.
John Armbruster asks: I see in recent days the Bears strengthen their Offensive line by acquiring Joe Thuney (age 32) from KC for a 2026 fourth-round pick and Jonah Jackson (age 28) from the Rams for a 2026 sixth-round pick. Thuney while 32 is a recent All-Pro. They seemed to have strengthened their offensive line while obtaining these players at a seemingly low price. Why can’t Joe Schoen pull off creative trades like this? He seems to prefer going the route of overpaying free agents.
Ed says: John, I don’t want to come off as a Joe Schoen fan boy, because I am not. But, Schoen has made a number of trades during his time as Giants GM. It is a tool he is absolutely willing to use. Kadarius Toney, Darren Waller, Leonard Williams, Brian Burns, Jalin Hyatt were all trades by Schoen. He maneuvered the draft board with a couple of 2022 deals.
Remember, Schoen is aiming to land a quarterback in this draft class. He knows he might need to give up draft assets to do that. He needs to keep picks for that, and so that he has picks left to select some players in the 2025 and 2026 drafts (if he still has a job in 2026).
I do have a question of my own, though. What free agent overpay has Schoen made? He gave Jon Runyan three years and $30 million. By average salary per year, Runyan is 19th among guards. That isn’t an overpay. He paid Bobby Okereke $40 million over four years. That’s 10th among inside linebackers. Okereke didn’t have a great 2024, but I don’t see that as an overpay, either.
I know that you are frustrated by the results of the past couple of years. Let’s see what happens next week and in the draft.
Gregg Wanlass asks: From what I’ve read it seems like the Cards are willing to move on from Kyler Murray. I guess that says something in itself. But given our situation, would a move for him be the worst scenario? He obviously has talent, is young enough to be a long term solution and has a mid level QB contract in place (10th) which may seem not too bad as prices go up. Estimates as to what it would take to get him vary widely, but if they are looking to move him, then maybe it might be on the lower half. What are your thoughts and if you would think it might be worth a look, what would you consider to give up to make the deal?
Ed says: Gregg, there is plenty of Internet speculation about the idea of the Cardinals trading Murray to the Giants. With apologies to @MLFootball on ‘X’, I have seen nothing from any credible source or sources that makes me believe this is something that is actually under consideration. I saw one blogger throw out the idea, and as the Internet does it has run wild with the possibility.
That said, Murray is a good quarterback, will only be 28 next season, and has just one year of guaranteed salary left on his five-ear, $230.5 million contract. There are worse ideas.
Dan Paulsen asks: Hi! I haven’t heard much talk around this but what are your thoughts of taking Hunter or Carter at 3 and then trading back later into the first round for Dart? And what would it cost to move up to say pick 15 or 20 to get him?
Ed says: Dan, trading back into Round 1 for Jaxson Dart might be what happens. There is still a long way to go. I could see it, but the Giants probably wouldn’t be the only team trying to do it.
What would it cost? It depends how far you have to move up and how much competition you have. Let’s say the Giants want to get to No. 20 (Denver Broncos), one pick in front of the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Johnson trade chart says in would take picks 34, 65 and something else. The price would only go up is there were multiple teams wanting to move up.
Glen B. asks: Ed, while Dabs may have not yet lost the locker room, I’m wondering if Schoen has.Barkley was well respected by his teammates and a class act, was the face of the franchise, yet Schoen refused to extend him over as little as $1 million difference and is seen to have jerked him around. And didn’t Julian Love leave even though the Giants came close to matching the competing offer? And then there’s the Tyre Phillips saga, and all the games being played with releasing and resigning the same players to the practice squad.
There are other examples, but Schoen seems to come off as extremely arrogant who does not respect players and loves to play games with them. I get he has a tough job to do as GM and it’s a business, but if players don’t trust they will be treated fairly why will they stick around? And why would good players want to come here? As someone who has managed many employees, there is a lot more to getting the best performance out of people than just paying them. They need to feel respected and valued. Is this happening under Schoen?
Ed says: Glen, I’m sure there are players who are not fans of the GM. I also know some who love Schoen.
The GM’s job, though, is not to be loved by the players. The head coach doesn’t need to be loved, either, but his relationship is different since he has to deal with player directly every day. The GM is separated from that role. The GM has to do what he believes is right for the franchise, regardless of player opinion.
Players understand that it is a business. They understand that their friends are going to come and go. All players want is the truth from the GM and the head coach. If they get that, they can respect it. Have they always gotten it with this front office? I’m not sure that has always been the case.
Jerry Reese always used to say you have to take the emotions out of decisions about the roster and the franchise. It isn’t always easy to do, and I’m not sure Schoen has always done that successfully. I think perhaps you can point to the Saquon Barkley, Julian Love and Nick McCloud situations as times where the GM might have let his feelings get in the way.
Hopefully, Schoen recognizes that and grows from it.
Good players will follow the money and the opportunity.
Ed Metzendorf asks: This is Giants and league related. I think it goes without saying that drafting a franchise QB is a crapshoot. So rather than mortgage futures, aren’t teams better off developing a good all around team with a good (not great) QB rather than mortgaging the future to try to get the next Mahomes?
Point being this year if you looks at final 8 in playoffs you could make the argument that if you were starting a team Hurts would have been your 8th choice (and certainly no higher then 6)and they won the SB because they had a complete team. so why are the Giants GM and others so caught up on finding the next QB rather than just creating a complete team, seems like a better formula and actually easier to do in a lot of ways?
Ed says: Well, and Ed to Ed conversation. Ed, let me turn that question around on you. Here are the eight quarterbacks from the Divisional Round of the playoffs:
Patrick Mahomes, C.J. Stroud, Josh Allen, Lamar Jackson, Jayden Daniels, Jared Goff, Jalen Hurts, Matthew Stafford.
Tell me which of those eight quarterbacks you would NOT put in the top 10 or 12 in the NFL? I think they are all in that range.
As Joe Schoen said multiple times at the Combine, quarterback is the most important position in football. You don’t have to have the BEST one, but if you are going to be a good football team and challenge for a chance to win a Super Bowl you need to have a really good one. All eight of those teams did.
If you have a conviction that there is a quarterback available you think can be one of those top-tier guys who might help you win a championship someday, you do what you have to in order to get the guy. I’m paraphrasing, but Bills GM Brandon Beane has said there is no price too high to pay for a championship caliber quarterback — if you end up being right. And, you should take the swing when you have the chance because if you don’t have one of those guys you are probably getting fired, anyway.
If there isn’t a guy there you love and believe in, you don’t take the swing. As Schoen said the other day, don’t take one just to say you did it. You keep building the roster, keep swinging and make the big move when it presents itself.
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