Giants’ Quarterback Room Rethought as Wilson Signing Shifts Draft Strategy

A recent evaluation by an NFC talent scout painted Jameis Winston as the ideal “bridge” quarterback—a temporary starter who could lead while a rookie develops. The scout noted that Winston’s career, marked by a 5,000-yard season and a 30-interception season, offers valuable lessons for a young player stepping into the role.

His high-energy personality, the evaluator argued, could energize the team early in the season, allowing the Giants to ease pressure off a rookie starter by eventually benching the veteran when his turnovers mount.

That plan, however, took a dramatic turn Tuesday when the Giants shocked the league by signing nine-time Pro Bowl quarterback Russell Wilson to a one-year deal worth up to $21 million with $10.5 million guaranteed.

Wilson’s arrival signals a shift in the franchise’s approach to its quarterback room. With Wilson expected to be the frontrunner for the 2025 starting role, Winston’s future has become less certain despite his prior backing as a stopgap solution.

The new signing raises questions about the Giants’ draft strategy—specifically, the fate of their third overall NFL Draft pick. With both Wilson and Winston on the roster, many now wonder what the team’s long-term plan is for the quarterback position.

Some insiders suggest that this move might hint at a desire to avoid past mistakes, such as overreaching for quarterbacks in the draft, as seen with the Daniel Jones and Kenny Pickett scenarios.

The decision to bring in Wilson may also be a message regarding Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders, a potential candidate for the top of the draft board. An AFC evaluator told Yahoo Sports that while Sanders has solid fundamentals, his ceiling might be limited—“I just think he’s physically maxed out,” the evaluator said.

With draft opinions on Sanders ranging from a second-round grade to a projection as a career third-stringer, the Giants’ quarterback assessments appear to be under close scrutiny.

For Giants head coach Brian Daboll and general manager Joe Schoen, who are in a win-or-go-home year, the move to sign Wilson could be about buying time to make a more calculated long-term decision.

By adding a seasoned veteran in Wilson, the team might be signaling that they’re not desperate to draft a quarterback at No. 3, instead planning to build around a veteran presence while later rounds or future drafts fill in the gaps.

The debate now centers on whether the Giants will draft a quarterback with their high pick or target a top non-quarterback talent—such as edge rusher Abdul Carter or defensive back/wide receiver Travis Hunter—to bolster their roster while waiting for the perfect long-term quarterback to emerge.

With Wilson’s signing, the Giants have effectively reshaped their quarterback strategy, leaving many to wonder how this dual approach will play out on the field in the coming season.