One of the few bright spots in the New York Giants’ otherwise disappointing year was rookie wide receiver Malik Nabers.
Nabers’ strong rookie campaign quickly made him one of the foundational pieces for the Giants to build around. What comes next and how they compile a roster around him is extremely important.
During a Wednesday appearance on PFT Live, Nabers addressed the team’s quarterback situation and what he’d like to see general manager Joe Schoen do this offseason.
“I would want to have a vet in there,” Nabers said. “If we decide to pick a rookie, in my eye I would want a vet to be in that same room with that rookie teaching him some stuff so when he’s out there — he’s not just out there in his head [thinking] he has to be the savior of this team. That’s a lot to put on a rookie.”
The Giants currently hold the third overall pick in the 2025 NFL draft and it’s unknown if they would have to trade up to land one of the top two quarterbacks, or if they prioritize either Cam Ward or Shedduer Sanders.
Asked about the rookie class, Nabers said he had “no preference” but then shrouded Ward with praise.
“He’s comfortable when he’s back there,” Nabers said, via the New York Post. “He throws the ball in spots you’re not really supposed to throw the ball but he has a crazy arm talent. He’s mobile. I’ve seen him come back from some games [where] I’m like, ‘Nah, this game’s over with’ and he’s just dottin’. He’s very efficient. He has crazy arm talent.
“I feel like he’s a leader that wants to bring people along to win. I mean, you look at that Miami team through the years, without him their record wasn’t like that. You bring a guy like that on the team, you know, the record shows what kind of leader he is, what kind of quarterback he is. Having that on a team, that’s what you need.”
While the Giants may hope to land a long-term solution at quarterback in the draft, general manager Joe Schoen has also left a door open for a veteran quarterback.
The Giants will have plenty of veteran quarterbacks to look into this offseason via free agency or trade, including Kirk Cousins, Justin Fields, Russell Wilson, Aaron Rodgers, Derek Carr, Sam Darnold, and Jameis Winston.
In a perfect world, the Giants would have a veteran quarterback come in and groom a young quarterback. However, if they miss out on a quarterback in the draft and select wide receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter instead, they suddenly become a very desirable destination for a QB given the young wide receiver talent between Nabers and Hunter.
In a crucial offseason for a current regime that Giants owner John Mara chose to retain following a three-win season, it’s going to be very interesting to see how they end up addressing the quarterback position.
