Sam Darnold Rumors: 'Some Chatter' Giants May Pursue QB After Matthew Stafford Links

The New York Giants are reportedly eyeing another quarterback after missing out on Matthew Stafford, who reached an agreement on Friday to stay with the Los Angeles Rams.

Per ESPN's Jeremy Fowler and Dan Graziano, there has been "at least some chatter about" the Giants possibly pursuing free agent quarterback Sam Darnold, who is coming off a career year with the Minnesota Vikings.

New York has also looked into Aaron Rodgers and "would have some interest" in Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins when he becomes a free agent, according to Fowler and Graziano.

Darnold threw for 4,319 yards, 35 touchdowns and 12 interceptions in his first year with Minnesota, leading the team to a 14-3 season that ultimately ended in the wild-card round. After spending the last few years primarily as a backup, the 27-year-old has now established himself as one of the top free-agent quarterbacks this offseason.

Given the season he just had, Darnold will likely garner plenty of interest, including from the other team that missed out on Stafford. According to Sportskeeda's Tony Pauline, Las Vegas Raiders head coach Pete Carroll plans to "make a move to acquire" Darnold. Pauline noted that the Vikings are "seriously considering" franchise tagging Darnold and trading him.

The Giants have the No. 3 pick in the upcoming NFL draft, meaning they'll likely be able to draft either Miami star quarterback Cam Ward or Colorado's Shedeur Sanders. However, Fowler and Graziano reported that New York would still be interested in bringing in a veteran quarterback even if it takes one in the draft.

Fowler and Graziano noted that the Giants "wouldn't mind" using the No. 3 pick on a player other than a quarterback, adding that top quarterbacks Ward and Sanders are "not viewed as surefire franchise-changers" like Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and others were last year.