The NFL’s quarterback carousel kept spinning Monday, on Day 1 of free agency.
Sam Darnold left the Vikings for the Seahawks, who had traded Geno Smith to the Raiders. Then Justin Fields left the Steelers for the Jets.
So what does it all mean for the quarterback-needy Giants?
Well, first of all, let’s not lose sight of the reality that this Giants offseason is all about finding their quarterback of the future. And that absolutely is not going to be a free agent acquisition.
So no matter what happens in free agency, the Giants could still draft a quarterback at No. 3 (or higher) on April 24 — though the Titans and Browns sitting ahead of them in the draft order presents major issues.
In the meantime, the Steelers appear to have the inside track with Rodgers, according to Pro Football Talk. That would eliminate the Giants' fallback plan, after the Matthew Stafford trade hopes fizzled.
With Fields gone, the Steelers' situation is much more appealing for Rodgers. The Steelers pick 21st in Round 1 this year, so they’re surely not going to take a quarterback. (And remember: This is a weak quarterback draft.)
The Giants, even if they sign Rodgers, absolutely could pick a quarterback at No. 3 (or higher). And the clock would immediately start ticking for that new kid to replace Rodgers.
OK, so let’s say Rodgers goes to Pittsburgh.
Where, then, might Russell Wilson land, as he leaves the Steelers? Maybe in Minnesota, if ex-Giants starter Daniel Jones decides to join the Colts and compete with Anthony Richardson for the starting job, instead of sticking around with the Vikings to be J.J. McCarthy’s backup.
At this stage of Jones' career — as he enters Year 7 and tries to prove he can still start — it would be foolish for him to stay in Minnesota instead of jumping at the chance to enter a legit competition for a starting job.
Jones departing Minnesota for Indianapolis would open the door for Wilson to maybe sign with the Vikings, who have a better overall roster than the Giants. (Almost every current NFL team does.)
Or perhaps Wilson could land with the Titans, if they want to go with him and Will Levis in 2025, instead of taking a quarterback at No. 1.
(Though the Giants would lose out on Wilson in this scenario, it also would signal the Titans' willingness to trade back from No. 1. And remember: The Giants can only trade up to No. 1 — probably for Cam Ward — if the Titans feel good enough about their quarterback situation that they’re willing to pass on Ward and move down to No. 3.)
After Monday’s Darnold and Fields signings, things could really heat up on the free agent quarterback front Tuesday, with a Rodgers decision. If he heads to Pittsburgh, that would leave the Giants looking at another fallback option — Wilson, who also is no sure thing to sign with them, depending on what level of interest he has from the Vikings and Titans.
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Darryl Slater may be reached atdslater@njadvancemedia.com.