For the New York Giants, there was such eagerness to move on from the Daniel Jones era that the team actually let him walk late last season, rather than keep him on the roster through the remainder of the year.
Jones, to the surprise of no one, did not make it through the entirety of his four-year, $160 million contract with the Giants, a deal that was always set up to be more of a two-year contract because only $81 million was guaranteed. The Giants will pay $47 million in dead cap this year.
Jones was granted that deal after a surprising 9-6-1 campaign in 2022, which was good enough to get the Giants to the playoffs. But the team slumped to 1-5 with Jones as the starter in an injury-riddled 2023 season, and was 2-8 in his 10 starts last season.
Now, the Giants need to find their next quarterback. They've had interest in Aaron Rodgers, but that may not be reciprocal. They've met with veterans Russell Wilson and Jamies Winston, too.
No matter whom they land, they also need a young draft-and-develop option. And the player who has emerged as the top option on the board is Miami's Cam Ward.
At Pro Football Focus, they're predicting the Giants are desperate enough to add Ward that they'd pay a high ransom to get to the top pick to get him. That, the site predicts, will lead to a blocbuster draft trade with the Titans, who have Pick No. 1.
The trade, per PFF: **"**Giants receive No. 1 pick; Titans receive No. 3 pick, No. 65 pick, 2026 first-round pick and 2026 third-round pick."
And the view on Ward replacing Jones: "Desperation sets in as the Giants make a titanic move to acquire the No. 1 overall pick. After seeing Daniel Jones record just 26 big-time throws over the past four seasons, head coach Brian Daboll and general manager Joe Schoen need to bring in a playmaker to provide a spark.
"Ward racked up 31 big-time throws in 2024 alone and fits what Daboll likes in a mobile quarterback."
Related: Giants Accused of Tanking After Controversial Quarterback Decision
Copyright 2025 The Arena Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved
This story was originally published March 17, 2025 at 11:18 AM.