Multiple quarterback updates shake up the Giants' outlook and could change everything in 2025
The New York Giants' quarterback saga continues, and Saturday has been an impactful day for the carousel in the 2025 offseason. Aaron Rodgers, Kirk Cousins, and Russell Wilson all could be options, but there are more questions than answers at this point. Aaron Rodgers According to The Athletic, the Giants and the Pittsburgh Steelers want […]
The New York Giants' quarterback saga continues, and Saturday has been an impactful day for the carousel in the 2025 offseason. Aaron Rodgers, Kirk Cousins, and Russell Wilson all could be options, but there are more questions than answers at this point.
Aaron Rodgers
According to The Athletic, the Giants and the Pittsburgh Steelers want Rodgers. However, the veteran is prioritizing the Minnesota Vikings because he perceives it as a better situation. If head coach Kevin O'Connell doesn't want him, Rodgers would consider other options—not only the Steelers and Giants, but also retirement.
"Rodgers, in the wake of his release by the New York Jets, is seeking an annual salary in the same general range as Darnold’s — though that’s not expected to be a major stumbling block."
This past week, Sam Darnold signed a three-year, $100.5 million contract with the Seattle Seahawks. Rodgers could presumably get something around that yearly average ($33.5 million), but with a shorter deal in place.
Kirk Cousins
Another veteran options for the Giants would be Kirk Cousins, but it doesn't sound like it's going to be a cheap one. Other teams were hoping that the Atlanta Falcons would release him before the fifth day of the league year, avoiding the guarantee of a 2026 $10 million roster bonus. With that, it would be possible to pay him a veteran minimum, like the Pittsburgh Steelers did with Russell Wilson last season.
However, the Falcons will keep Cousins with the idea of trading him later. The quarterback is slated to make $27.5 million in cash this season. Next year, the salary jumps to $45 million, with $10 million guaranteed via the aforementioned roster bonus.
Even if the Giants acquire Cousins for one season, paying $37.5 million for that wouldn't be prohibitive.
The big question is if it's worth paying that much, plus some draft compensation to the Falcons, for a player who will be 37 by Week 1 and threw for 18 touchdowns and 16 interceptions last year, with an 88.6 passer rating.
Russell Wilson
The most viable option at this point is Wilson, who had some sort of a redemption season with the Steelers in 2024 after a failed stint with the Denver Broncos. Wilson visited the Giants and the Cleveland Browns, but left both buildings without a contract offer.
Reportedly, the Giants prefer to wait for Aaron Rodgers. And if the future Hall of Famer says no, Wilson would be a viable Plan B. If he is still on the market when that happens.
The New York Giants as a franchise, but general manager Joe Schoen and head coach Brian Daboll in particular, need an answer at quarterback right away to keep afloat. Rodgers seems to be the priority, but his decision is always a mystery. Meanwhile, everyone has to wait.
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Veteran quarterbacks are still considering their options
