Giants’ Top QB Options in 2025 NFL Draft, Free Agency After Benching Daniel Jones

If the Giants do opt for a rookie-to-be-named, they’ll need to have a veteran bridge quarterback on the roster. There’s no guarantee that New York can land a signal-caller who will be Week 1 ready, and it’s always wise to have insurance at the position.

There’s also no guarantee that New York will be in a position to draft a quarterback it likes, a fate that befell the Raiders this past offseason.

The New England Patriots took this approach in the offseason by signing Jacoby Brissett before drafting Drake Maye. This allowed the rookie, who continues to improve with each game, to learn from the sideline for the first few weeks.

The Vikings took the same approach by adding Darnold, who they’ve needed following J.J. McCarthy’s season-ending meniscus injury.

Brissett will be among the top bridge options available in the offseason, along with Andy Dalton, Taylor Heinicke, Marcus Mariota and Jameis Winston. These are veterans who can be short-term starters and actually help young quarterbacks develop.

There’s a non-zero chance that Devito and/or Lock show enough down the stretch this season to secure a bridge role in 2025.

The Giants could also take a flier on a failed first-round pick like Zach Wilson, Mac Jones or Trey Lance. Trading for Carolina’s Bryce Young might also be an option, though the Panthers have appeared re-committed to the 2023 first overall pick in recent weeks.

Schefter reported back in September that many sources believed it was “only a matter of time” before Carolina would move Young, possibly in the 2025 offseson.

None of these younger quarterbacks would provide a dependable insurance policy, and none of them have flashed the upside of Darnold or Fields. However, New York could lean in that direction if it isn’t in love with what the 2025 draft class has to offer.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers took a similar approach by signing Baker Mayfield in 2023, and he’s become a Pro Bowl-caliber quarterback for their franchise. Of course, Tampa didn’t have a high first-round selection last April and never had a shot at Young, Anthony Richardson or C.J. Stroud.

Turning to Fields, Darnold or the 2025 draft while also adding an experienced veteran will probably be at the forefront of New York’s QB plan. Expect all options to be on the proverbial table, though, now that Jones is out of the long-term picture.