The NFL offseason is always ripe with speculation, but few storylines have created as much intrigue and confusion in recent weeks as the New York Giants’ quarterback situation. While general manager Joe Schoen and head coach Brian Daboll have remained publicly supportive of Daniel Jones, the whispers from league insiders are growing louder — and more dramatic. Multiple well-connected analysts are now suggesting that the Giants could be poised to make a shock trade at quarterback, possibly moving on from Jones entirely and shaking up their offensive identity in a bold, unexpected move.
It’s the kind of NFL scenario that once seemed laughable. Just two years ago, the Giants handed Daniel Jones a four-year, $160 million extension, betting heavily that the former first-round pick was the franchise’s future. Jones had just led New York to its first playoff win in over a decade and appeared to have turned a corner under Daboll’s system. But after an injury-plagued 2023 season in which he threw only two touchdowns and was eventually lost to a torn ACL, the tide began to turn. Backup quarterbacks Tyrod Taylor and Tommy DeVito stepped in admirably, but neither represented a long-term solution. And suddenly, the Giants were back in quarterback limbo.
This spring, that uncertainty has only deepened. Although Jones has reportedly made solid progress in his ACL recovery, insiders like ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler and NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport have both alluded to the possibility that the Giants might be exploring their options behind the scenes. According to one AFC scout quoted anonymously, “You don’t hand out that contract unless you think he’s the guy — but you don’t take multiple meetings with quarterback prospects and veterans unless you’re at least thinking about life after him.”
The 2024 NFL Draft didn’t clear anything up either. While the Giants had the sixth overall pick — a position from which they could have potentially traded up for a marquee QB like Drake Maye or J.J. McCarthy — they stayed put and selected LSU wide receiver Malik Nabers. That move gave Jones a much-needed elite weapon on the outside, and many took it as a vote of confidence in the quarterback. But others saw it differently. “The Giants made calls,” one insider told Fox Sports. “They were in on the top three quarterbacks. They didn’t get a deal done, but it wasn’t for lack of trying.”
More recently, NFL insider Albert Breer noted that “multiple people around the league” believe the Giants are “keeping their options open” and could look to move Daniel Jones as soon as next offseason — or even sooner if a surprising opportunity arises. Breer added that the presence of Drew Lock, signed this offseason, could be more than just about having a competent backup. Lock, once a starting quarterback for the Broncos and Seahawks, has shown flashes of big-time ability. If Jones were to falter or suffer another injury, there’s growing belief that Lock could get a real chance — and possibly take over the reins if he impresses.
But perhaps the most eyebrow-raising commentary came from former NFL executive Mike Lombardi, who suggested during a podcast appearance that “a shocking quarterback trade involving the Giants wouldn’t surprise me at all.” Lombardi, known for his unfiltered takes and deep league connections, pointed to the team’s increasing frustration with Jones’ inconsistency and injury history. “There’s only so long you can wait,” he said. “They might’ve already made up their minds. And if they find a trade partner, don’t be shocked if he’s gone before the deadline.”
That prediction lit a fire under NFL Twitter, where fans and analysts alike began theorizing possible trade destinations. A few teams have already surfaced as theoretical suitors. The Pittsburgh Steelers, for example, are in quarterback purgatory themselves with Russell Wilson and Justin Fields both vying for the starting job but neither locked in as a long-term answer. The Las Vegas Raiders, currently counting on Gardner Minshew and rookie Aidan O’Connell, could be another destination if things go south early. And even the Minnesota Vikings, now entering a new era without Kirk Cousins, might consider Jones if they’re in playoff contention but struggling at QB.
Of course, there are massive obstacles to any trade. Chief among them is Jones’ contract. Cutting or trading him prior to June 1 would saddle the Giants with an astronomical $47 million dead cap hit — a nearly unworkable financial penalty. After June 1, a trade would cost New York roughly $23 million in dead money while saving around $12 million in cap space. That’s more manageable, but still far from ideal. Any trade would likely require the Giants to either eat a large portion of the salary or attach a pick to sweeten the deal.
Then there’s the question of Jones’ value around the league. Despite some bright moments in 2022, Jones has largely underwhelmed since being drafted sixth overall in 2019. He’s thrown just 62 touchdowns to 40 interceptions in five seasons and has never thrown for more than 3,205 yards in a year. His athleticism is real — he rushed for 708 yards in 2022 — but the injuries, inconsistency, and limited arm talent have all raised concerns. Would another team really view him as a solution, or merely a stopgap?
Still, quarterback desperation drives NFL decision-making like nothing else. If a contender suffers a major injury early in the season, or a team with a solid roster finds itself held back by poor quarterback play, the Giants could get a phone call they can’t ignore. And with Jones’ contract becoming less toxic after this season — New York can cut him in 2026 for just $9 million in dead money — it’s not unreasonable to imagine a deal coming together.
Meanwhile, the Giants themselves must grapple with the consequences of indecision. The 2024 season may very well determine not only Jones’ future but that of Brian Daboll and Joe Schoen as well. Daboll won Coach of the Year in 2022, but a second consecutive losing season would put real pressure on his regime. If Jones falters and the Giants lack a contingency plan, fans and ownership alike will question why they didn’t make a move sooner.
On the other hand, if Jones rebounds and thrives — buoyed by a healthier offensive line and the presence of Nabers — the Giants could find themselves back in the playoff mix and breathing easier. But that’s a big “if,” especially given the challenges ahead. The NFC East remains one of football’s toughest divisions, with the Eagles and Cowboys both looking like contenders again and even the Commanders reloading under new leadership.
So where does that leave the Giants today? In a word: limbo. They’re tied to a quarterback they might not fully believe in, backed up by a talented but unproven gunslinger, and surrounded by growing media chatter that something big could be on the horizon. Whether that “something” is a midseason trade, a surprise benching, or simply the slow march toward a new era in 2026, remains to be seen.
But if NFL history teaches us anything, it’s that “shock” trades are never really that shocking — at least not in hindsight. When teams show you hesitation, they’re often already halfway out the door. And right now, despite public assurances and offseason smiles, the Giants may be preparing to walk away from Daniel Jones sooner than most expect.
Until then, the tension builds in New York. Every throw, every snap, every headline is a referendum on Jones’ place in the future of the franchise. One misstep, one injury, one tempting phone call could be all it takes to trigger the kind of trade that dominates headlines for weeks. The kind of trade that changes everything.
