The New York Giants are well aware of how badly they need a quarterback, and both general manager Joe Schoen and head coach Brian Daboll know their jobs won't last much longer without one.
That has rendered them aggressive in free agency with the intention of signing a veteran passer to hold down the fort until a prospective rookie is ready, whether it be late in 2025 or Week 1 of 2026. With most of the top options already off the board, the Giants have found themselves in a waiting game for Aaron Rodgers or, alternatively, Russell Wilson.
But just how far might a new passer bring them? The jump from bad to average is meaningful, and will make New York better than it was in 2025, but it remains to be seen just how strong Schoen's roster is once the quarterback position is settled.
FOX Sports insider and self-proclaimed Giants optimist Peter Schrager dropped his bold quarterback claim as the free agency frenzy continues.
"They're a quarterback away. They don't have a quarterback," Schrager said. "It's hard to win football games without a quarterback but there are pieces there. Call me an optimist or maybe it's because I grew up in New Jersey (but) the Giants aren't that far off.
"Throw in Aaron Rodgers. Throw in Russell Wilson. Draft a quarterback. I think the Giants are on their way and could be competitive this year. Call me crazy."
New York should very much pursue veteran passers in free agency, and drafting one at No. 3 (or No. 34) isn't out of the question, either. But for 2025, assuming the Giants are poised to take a leap into competitiveness, instead of mediocrity, might be underselling how bad New York was in 2024.
Unless corner/receiver Travis Hunter finds himself as Malik Nabers' sidekick after the NFL Draft, it's awfully hard to describe the Giants' supporting cast as anything better than league average. Rodgers had a stronger supporting cast with the New York Jets in 2024 – it ended in disaster.
Related: Giants Signing Aaron Rodgers Story Has 2 Major Holes
If New York gets quarterback play between the first and second quartile of starters (16-24), is the result a meaningful threat to Jayden Daniels and the Washington Commanders, or the Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles? Is it enough to close the gap between the do-nothing Dallas Cowboys, buoyed by the talents of star quarterback Dak Prescott.
The NFC East alone is reason to temper expectations for next year's squad. The Giants are far more likely to be frisky than competitive, and it isn't immediately clear whether that's enough for everyone to keep their jobs for 2026.
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This story was originally published March 16, 2025 at 12:10 PM.