NFL Rumors: Giants Eyed to Trade for Cam Ward at No. 1, Shedeur a 'Smoke Screen'

Now that Matthew Stafford is off the board, the New York Giants are reportedly pivoting to find a quarterback in the 2025 draft.

Per ESPN's Jordan Raanan, the Giants have started exploring trade scenarios with the Tennessee Titans to secure the No. 1 overall pick to select Cam Ward.

Raanan added there's some thought that New York's scouting of Shedeur Sanders is a "smoke screen" and the organization isn't all that interested in him, at least with the No. 3 selection.

The Giants and Las Vegas Raiders were viewed as serious suitors for Stafford before he agreed to a reworked deal on Friday that will keep him with the Los Angeles Rams.

NFL Network's Rich Eisen reported on Monday that the Giants "hit the number" that Stafford was looking for in contract and the trade compensation the Rams were seeking to move their star quarterback before Los Angeles worked things out (starts at 11:15 mark).

With no other strong trade options on the quarterback market, the Giants are almost certainly going to add someone in free agency. They don't have a quarterback under contract with Drew Lock, Tommy DeVito and Tim Boyle set to hit the market next week.

Raanan cited Sam Darnold and Russell Wilson as being "near the top" of New York's list of veteran options, but neither one would likely be a long-term solution.

Darnold is coming off a strong season with the Minnesota Vikings, but he stumbled at the end of the year that could hinder his market. The 27-year-old threw for 4,319 yards, 35 touchdowns and 12 interceptions in 2024.

Pittsburgh Steelers owner Art Rooney II said in January his "preference" would be to bring back either Wilson or Justin Fields. It turns out he may have a preference between the two, with NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reporting on Tuesday that Fields is more likely than Wilson to be Pittsburgh's starter in 2025.

Ward seems to have separated himself from Sanders as the top quarterback in the draft. Raanan noted a lot of talent evaluators around the league don't view Sanders in the same tier as a prospect.

The Titans' decision at No. 1 is going to determine a lot early in the draft. They also have a need at quarterback and could pursue Ward, but they've also said they won't pass on a "generational talent" with the top pick.

It's unclear if there are any prospects the Titans consider to be generational. If they feel a player they like would still be on the board at No. 3 and the Giants present them with a good offer, there's no reason not to trade the No. 1 pick.

There's still seven weeks remaining before the draft and a lot still to be sorted out. The Giants are almost certainly going to come out of the offseason with at least two quarterbacks, but their path to getting them is going to be a key storyline leading up to free agency next week.