A Pivotal Offseason for the New York Giants
With a crucial offseason ahead, the New York Giants face numerous decisions that will shape the future of the franchise. After moving on from Daniel Jones as the starting quarterback, general manager Joe Schoen and head coach Brian Daboll are tasked with quickly turning the team around while also building for the future. While young stars like receiver Malik Nabers, running back Tyrone Tracy Jr., defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence, and left tackle Andrew Thomas provide a solid foundation, the most pressing concern remains the quarterback position and addressing key holes across the roster. Here’s what the Giants can do this offseason to improve their play on the field in 2025.
Photo Cred: USA Today
The Big Quarterback Question
Despite the challenges, the Giants find themselves in a favorable position with the #3 pick in the upcoming draft. Rumors are swirling that New York plans to trade up for the #1 pick, likely targeting quarterback Cam Ward, though they’ve also expressed interest in Shedeur Sanders. The most probable outcome is the Giants trading up for Ward while pursuing a veteran quarterback in free agency to bridge the gap, allowing Ward to sit behind him and develop before taking the reins in a season or two.
One major rumor making waves is Aaron Rodgers. The Giants are currently the betting favorites to sign him, seemingly out of nowhere, after the Jets decided to part ways with the future Hall of Famer following a couple of turbulent years. Other potential free-agent options include Sam Darnold, Justin Fields, and Russell Wilson, all of whom could become available after strong 2024 seasons.
A Rodgers-Ward pairing, or a combination of a seasoned veteran and rookie presence, would be ideal for the Giants. Rodgers could help make the team competitive right away, while Ward, who threw for over 4,000 yards, 39 touchdowns, and just seven interceptions in 2024, is the quarterback of the future. Ward’s ability to throw on the run, deep ball accuracy, and proficiency in making all the required throws at the next level makes him the perfect candidate to lead the Giants out of their current struggles.
Strengthening the Offensive Line
Photo Cred: USA Today
The offensive line has been a persistent issue for the Giants, repeatedly hindering both their quarterbacks and the overall offensive production. With star left tackle Andrew Thomas suffering a season-ending injury, the line’s struggles only worsened. In 2025, Thomas’ health will be crucial for the offense’s success. The Giants experimented with ten different offensive line combinations in 2024, and none yielded consistent results.
Alongside Thomas, the team will return left guard Jon Runyan and right tackle Jermaine Elumenour, both of whom were additions in free agency last year. Recent draft pick John Michael Schmitz will also return as the starting center. However, right guard Greg Van Roten, who started much of the season at right guard before switching to center, is set to become a free agent, creating a hole at that position. Evan Neal, who has struggled at right tackle, might be a candidate to move to guard, but the Giants could also look to the free-agent market or the draft to address the position.
The key to success for the Giants will be assembling an offensive line that works cohesively, without significant weaknesses. This is critical to ensuring that the offense can operate efficiently and avoid the derailment that has plagued the team in recent seasons. Both the Giants’ coaching staff and fanbase know all too well how damaging a porous offensive line can be. Addressing the quarterback situation and fortifying the offensive line are the two most pressing areas, but with the right moves, the team can position itself for success in 2025 and beyond.
