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2025 NFL Draft News & Rumors

Browns Sign First-Round DT Mason Graham

May 27th, 2025 at 9:38am CST by Adam La Rose

The Browns’ top pick from last month’s draft is now on the books. Defensive tackle Mason Graham agreed to terms on his rookie deal this morning.

Ian Rapoport of NFL Network notes the pact is worth a total of $40.87MM over four years. That figure is guaranteed in full. Graham will be under team control through at least 2028, but the Browns will be able to extend that via the fifth-year option.

One of the defining characteristics of the 2025 draft was the strength of its defensive tackle class. In a year which saw five interior defenders selected on Day 1, though, it came as no surprise Graham was the first to hear his name called. The Michigan product was long seen as one of the top prospects – based on his floor in terms of production but also upside – at any position during the pre-draft process.

The Browns began the opening round of the draft with the No. 2 pick, leading to a widespread expectation they would select Travis Hunter. The Heisman winner did in fact come off the board at that spot, but only after Cleveland traded the pick to Jacksonville. That swap (which had been agreed to well before the start of the draft) moved the Browns down to No. 5 in the order. With Hunter, along with Cam Ward (Titans), Abdul Carter (Giants) and Will Campbell (Patriots) no longer available, the Browns made an expected move in selecting Graham.

The Michigan product played a central role in the team’s national championship in 2023, earning first-team All-Big Ten honors for the season. That feat was repeated during his junior campaign, one in which Graham also received a consensus All-American nod. The 6-4, 306-pounder totaled 6.5 sacks and 14.5 tackles for loss during his two full seasons as a starter, and he will look to develop into an disruptive presence against the run and pass at the NFL level.

The Browns have veterans Maliek Collins, Shelby Harris and Maurice Hurst in the fold for 2025 after releasing Dalvin Tomlinson in March. Cleveland has cycled through a number of young options along the defensive interior, but Graham will be expected to make an impact during his rookie year and for several seasons beyond that as a key member of the D-line.

Giants Sign No. 3 Pick Abdul Carter

May 23rd, 2025 at 6:41pm CST by Adam La Rose

MAY 23: Shortly following details of the No. 1 overall pick’s contract, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 divulged some details for the No. 3 overall pick. The signing bonus for Carter’s contract, signed yesterday, has been updated to a more exact $29.55MM. Following his rookie campaign, Carter will receive guaranteed roster bonuses for each of the three remaining guaranteed years of his contract. The roster bonuses will be worth $1.89MM in 2026, $3.83MM in 2027, and $5.78MM in 2028.

MAY 22: Abdul Carter is the latest member of the 2025 draft class to sign his rookie deal. The No. 3 pick inked his initial NFL pact on Thursday, per an announcement from the Giants.

This four-year deal is worth a total of $45.26MM and (like those of all other first-rounders) is guaranteed in full. Carter will receive a $29MM signing bonus as part of the deal. Taking into account the fifth-year option, he could remain under team control through the 2029 campaign.

Throughout the pre-draft process, Carter established himself as one of the two bluechip prospects in this year’s class (with Heisman winner Travis Hunter being the other). The Titans were linked early to potentially moving out of the No. 1 slot, but once they committed to selecting quarterback Cam Ward that came off the table. Hunter wound up going second overall, albeit to the Jaguars after they pulled of a trade with the Browns to move up to that spot.

The Giants did extensive work on the quarterback position this year, but by late April a signal-caller (Shedeur Sanders, Jaxson Dart or otherwise) was not expected to be the pick at No. 3. To no surprise, Carter heard his name called at that slot and thus joined a New York pass rush group already featuring Brian Burns and Kayvon Thibodeaux. Expectations will be high for those two, along with Carter, to deliver strong production in 2025.

The Penn State product transitioned to edge rusher on a full-time basis in 2024, something which proved to be a productive decision. Carter earned Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year honors upon leading the conference in sacks (12). His 23.5 tackles for loss were the most in the country, something which helped lead to a consensus All-American nod. If Carter – who is clear to take part in spring practices after dealing with a foot injury – develops as hoped, he will become a mainstay along the edge for years to come in New York.

Of course, the Carter selection wound up being followed by a move back into the Day 1 order to draft Dart as the Giants’ long-term option under center. He remains unsigned at this point, with the same being true of second-round defensive tackle Darius Alexander and fourth-round running back Cameron Skattebo. Given today’s news, though, four members of the Giants’ draft class have been signed, with the most lucrative rookie pact having been taken care of.

Titans Sign No. 1 Overall Pick Cam Ward

May 23rd, 2025 at 5:08pm CST by Sam Robinson

MAY 23: Ward’s rookie deal with the Titans includes a $32.159MM signing bonus, per KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson. Training camp roster bonuses have also become a common way to accelerate the payment schedule of rookie contracts, and Ward’s is no different. He will receive $2.054MM in 2026, $4.159MM in 2027, and $6.264MM in 2028 via training camp roster bonuses, all fully-guaranteed.

MAY 21: The rookie-scale system’s latest top contract, Cam Ward has put pen to paper with the Titans. The No. 1 overall pick is now signed through 2028, as the team announced the signing.

Ward’s rookie deal is worth $48.75MM. The pact is fully guaranteed and will include a fifth-year option for the 2029 season. Ward is currently splitting reps with the QB he is almost certain to supplant as Tennessee’s starter (Will Levis), but the Titans’ Week 1 Denver trip will presumably see the prized rookie at the controls.

Owners made it a point to curb excessive first-round salaries in the 2011 CBA. To illustrate how far ahead the quarterbacks chosen first overall under the pre-rookie-scale system were, Sam Bradford‘s rookie contract checked in at five years and $78MM in 2010. That contract was not fully guaranteed, but it still locked in Bradford to $50MM at signing. With the rookie scale in place in 2011, however, Cam Newton‘s draft slot commanded a four-year, $22MM accord. While Newton landed a lucrative Panthers extension later on, he trailed Bradford, Matthew Stafford and even JaMarcus Russell by a considerable margin out of the blocks.

Ward’s contract checks in much higher than Caleb Williams‘ Bears terms ($39.49MM), and this one will likely be the No. 1 draft slot’s last south of $50MM. Arch Manning (or the passer chosen first in the event the Texas prodigy stays in Austin) will be in line to clear that bar for the first time since Bradford. As for Ward, he will attempt to justify the significant leap he made during his final college season.

Famously going from zero-star recruit who began his college career at Division I-FCS Incarnate Word to a player who had distanced himself from the rest of the QBs in the 2025 class, Ward played two seasons at Washington State and finished his collegiate run at Miami. Completing 67.2% of his passes, Ward amassed over 4,300 passing yards and a 39:7 touchdown-to-interception ratio. Those figures earned him ACC Player of the Year honors (among others), and his arm strength and playmaking ability created distance from the likes of Jaxson Dart and Shedeur Sanders in this year’s class. The Titans met with Ward by mid-March and had settled on him early, arranging a second meeting and then rebuffing Browns and Giants attempts to trade up to No. 1.

Ward, 23 on Sunday, will continue a recent trend of QBs garnering considerable experience in college before being chosen No. 1. Williams turned 23 last season, while Jayden Daniels, Bo Nix and Michael Penix Jr. played age-24 seasons as rookies. The extensive seasoning benefited the Commanders and Broncos, who saw their respective draft choices finish first and third in the Offensive Rookie of the Year voting. Ward started four college seasons during his three-school journey, and the Titans will attempt to recover after some early-round QB misfires.

Levis’ rough sophomore season led the Titans to the No. 1 overall draft slot, and the team needed its Ryan Tannehill reclamation project after 2015 No. 2 overall pick Marcus Mariota did not become a long-term franchise QB. Tennessee’s 2011 first-rounder, Jake Locker, was the team’s primary starter for just two seasons — before retiring after Year 4 — and 2006 No. 3 overall choice Vince Young‘s early-career promise fizzled. (2022 third-rounder Malik Willis is playing out his rookie deal in Green Bay, after being traded last summer.)

The Titans have not featured a true long-term QB option since Steve McNair‘s 11-season run. They will hope Ward can play well enough to secure a second contract. While the Titans did pay Tannehill after his 2019 turnaround, they have not extended a passer they have drafted since McNair.

Steelers Sign Round 1 DL Derrick Harmon, Wrap Draft Class Deals

May 21st, 2025 at 5:57pm CST by Sam Robinson

Add the Steelers to the list of teams to have their first-round pick under contract. Pittsburgh agreed to terms with defensive lineman Derrick Harmon on Wednesday, NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero notes.

Harmon’s rookie pact, as the No. 21 overall pick, will run through 2028. The Steelers will have a fifth-year option on the contract, one the team must exercise by May 2028. The Oregon alum will be tied to a fully guaranteed $17.97MM deal. Harmon is the first D-lineman the Steelers have drafted in Round 1 since Cameron Heyward in 2011.

While the Steelers will pair Heyward and Harmon this season, the Oregon prospect profiles as one the team will hope anchors the D-line after Heyward retires. Two seasons remain on Heyward’s deal, though no guarantees are in place beyond 2025. Heyward is heading into his age-36 season; Harmon will not turn 22 until August.

Viewed as a clear landing spot for either Jaxson Dart or Shedeur Sanders, the Steelers instead fortified a D-line by adding a first-rounder alongside Heyward and 2023 second-rounder Keeanu Benton. The Giants were leery of the Steelers’ QB need at No. 21, but New York’s front office expected Pittsburgh to pass. This led to Big Blue trading up (via the Texans) at No. 25 for Dart, a player the Steelers are believed to have graded as a first-round talent.

Pittsburgh’s Aaron Rodgers wait has surpassed two months now, but the organization remains optimistic. The team entered the draft aiming to take its swing for a long-term QB — after missing on Kenny Pickett — in either the 2025 or ’26 drafts. The Harmon pick points such a move to 2026, as the Steelers added an extra third-round pick via the post-draft George Pickens trade with the Cowboys.

Harmon put up career-best numbers during his one season at Oregon. The Michigan State transfer posted five sacks, 11 tackles for loss and two forced fumbles, helping the Ducks to the No. 1 seed in the College Football Playoff. The 311-pounder’s quickness and power make him a menace inside the tackles, but he also showed the ability to line up outside. Although Heyward played sparingly as a rookie 14 years ago, the Steelers will likely turn to Harmon as an immediate regular along their D-line.

This signing wraps the Steelers’ draft class contracts. Here is how Pittsburgh’s class looks heading into OTAs:

Perception Exists Giants’ Front Office Preferred Shedeur Sanders Over Jaxson Dart

May 20th, 2025 at 10:20pm CST by Sam Robinson

After three seasons attempting to make an inherited quarterback work, the Joe Schoen–Brian Daboll regime will attempt to move their way off hot seats via the passer they drafted. Jaxson Dart is now in place after Daniel Jones did not come close to living up to his $40MM-per-year contract.

Dart-Giants connections began to emerge shortly before the draft, as Shedeur Sanders‘ freefall commenced. Coaches become involved in the process as the winter progresses, and Daboll was believed to be convicted in his belief Dart would be Big Blue’s best available option (after the Titans repeatedly rebuffed the Giants’ efforts to trade up to No. 1). Schoen has attempted to push back on the notion he gave in to his coaches’ preference.

“It was an organizational decision,” Schoen said during an appearance on Up & Adams (h/t the New York Post’s Ryan Dunleavy). “Any player that we take, it’s a collaborative process and it’s very detailed, and we believe in it. … Three coaches on staff (Daboll, OC Mike Kafka and QBs coach Shea Tierney) that have been part of the development of two pretty good quarterbacks in the league right now (Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen), and when they are convicted on a player and the scouting staff is convicted on a player, typically you have the best chance for success in those situations.”

Schoen told Kay Adams that Dart was on the Giants’ radar “throughout the fall,” though a post-draft report indicated the Giants did more in-person work on Sanders compared to the Ole Miss starter. Schoen is believed to have scouted just one Dart game in-person, while a previous report indicated the GM had “lived in Boulder” as Sanders hype increased. A pre-draft report also indicated the Giants were split on Sanders, potentially placing the divide between the front office and coaching staff. Enough information has come out pointing to Daboll playing the lead role in ensuring the Giants did not draft the Colorado QB.

A perception exists within personnel departments the Giants’ front office preferred Sanders, Dunleavy notes, before Daboll and his staff came to hold Dart in higher regard. The Giants spent more time with Sanders than any team spent with any prospect, Dunleavy adds. That would paint the picture of a mid-process pivot, as Dart certainly appeared to gain steam late. A pre-draft report tabbed Sanders as being the No. 2 QB on the Giants’ big board (behind Cam Ward), but that could certainly have been a smokescreen effort considering the Dart trade-up, which helped key Sanders’ freefall.

Some Daboll-Sanders friction is believed to have taken place during an install session. While Dart impressed Giants decision-makers during his install, Sanders not being as prepared became a point of contention. The Giants are, of course, not the only team to come away unimpressed with Sanders’ approach during the pre-draft process, as multiple teams took the QB off their boards.

Sanders having taken the strange step — for a player with his prospect profile, at least — of approaching team meetings like a recruit, rather than as a job interview, certainly rubbed teams the wrong way. His slide from potential top-10 pick to No. 144 represents perhaps the most notable tumble in draft history. Sanders’ actions may well have determined the Giants’ QB future; that said, pre-draft offerings also had some teams ranking Dart ahead of the two-year Colorado standout.

Daboll and Schoen have worked together since 2018, when the former arrived as the Bills’ OC. A report of tension between the two emerged earlier this offseason, and it appears Daboll’s QB pick will hold the current regime’s future in his hands.

Patriots Rejected Two Trade Offers For Second-Round Pick

May 20th, 2025 at 1:59pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Patriots have been linked to showing interest in the player the Dolphins chose in Round 2, guard Jonah Savaiinaea, but after the Arizona product went off the board, multiple teams eyed the Patriots’ No. 38 choice.

An episode of Forged in Foxborough details a Bears offer for No. 38; the NFC North team proposed No. 39 and a seventh-round pick to move up a spot. It is believed (via ESPN.com’s Mike Reiss) Chicago wanted TreVeyon Henderson, whom New England ended up taking. A previous report indeed indicated Chicago was eyeing Henderson.

This appears a lower-stakes example of last year, when the Pats rejected two quality trade offers (from the Giants and Vikings) aimed at Drake Maye. The Pats ended up staying at No. 3 and taking Maye for themselves.

The Bears were not the only team to propose a deal for No. 38, however, as the Forged in Foxborough episode also revealed a more notable trade offer. The Patriots received a proposal for No. 38 that included Nos. 58, 79 and a 2026 third-round pick. This would have netted the Pats three Day 2 picks in exchange for one, though it is not known if New England would have needed to throw in another pick as part of a swap.

It is fairly safe to assume the Texans made this offer, as they held No. 58 at the time the Pats made their Henderson choice. Houston had already moved out of Round 1, and Nick Caserio — a Bill Belichick lieutenant during Mike Vrabel‘s New England linebacker years — was active in trades throughout draft weekend. This later included a move up in Round 2, as the Texans climbed to No. 48 (via the Raiders) and chose Minnesota tackle Aireontae Ersery. The Texans gave up Nos. 58 and 99 for the Raiders’ No. 48 slot.

Houston may have been targeting Ersery that high, as the team has launched a near-full-scale O-line overhaul this offseason. The Texans were connected to also moving up in Round 1 for ex-C.J. Stroud Ohio State weapon Emeka Egbuka, but the Buccaneers made a surprise play for the all-time Buckeyes receiving leader at No. 19. The Texans then slid out of Round 1, collecting three Day 2 choices from the Giants to do so. Houston had already chosen Iowa State receiver Jayden Higgins at No. 34, pointing to its New England offer being a non-WR play.

The Texans could have been in play for Henderson as well, as only one running back on a current roster (Derrick Henry) has Joe Mixon beat for career carries (1,816). The Texans circled back to their RB need in Round 4, trading up for USC’s Woody Marks; the future third they offered to the Patriots ended up going to the Dolphins in that exchange.

Henderson was fairly popular during the draft, as the Broncos are also believed to have targeted the Ohio State standout in a trade-down move. Denver discussed terms with the Giants, which would have allowed New York to move ahead of Pittsburgh and draft Jaxson Dart. But Big Blue believing the Steelers would pass on Dart at 21 prompted the team to stand down, eventually dealing with the Texans (for No. 25). The Broncos then bolstered their secondary with cornerback Jahdae Barron.

Another interesting nugget from the Patriots’ Henderson selection process came when Vrabel mentioned a potential wide receiver move with the team’s No. 69 overall pick. Moving out of the No. 38 slot for either offer would have cost the Patriots Henderson; a wideout would have likely been considered in Round 2, in that case. The Pats deciding to stay at 38 and choose Henderson preceded the team using No. 69 on Washington State wideout Kyle Williams. Both skill-position cogs will be expected to boost Maye’s development this season.

Browns Sign Shedeur Sanders To Rookie Contract

May 19th, 2025 at 9:09pm CST by Nikhil Mehta

The Browns have signed rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders to a four-year rookie deal, per a team announcement.

Sanders, the 144th overall selection in last month’s draft, will earn $4.6MM on his first NFL contract, according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, including a $447,380 signing bonus. Like all fifth-round picks, he did not receive any guaranteed money beyond his signing bonus.

Once projected to be a first-round pick, the former Colorado star lost out on millions of dollars after falling all the way to Day 3. In comparison, the last pick in the first round, Josh Simmons, signed a fully-guaranteed rookie contract with the Chiefs worth $14.7MM. Even if Sanders was drafted on Day 2, he would have received a significantly better deal in terms of total value and guaranteed money.

However, Sanders still has far more earning potential than the average fifth-round pick after signing endorsement deals with several major brands, including Nike and Beats By Dre. Those sponsorships started during Sanders’ time at Colorado and continued throughout the pre-draft process, indicating that they will carry over into his NFL career. However, it’s unclear how long they will last; Sanders may have to win a starting job in Cleveland to earn further extensions.

If Sanders does emerge as the Browns’ starter on his rookie deal, he would immediately be one of the most cost-effective quarterbacks in the NFL. His $1.16MM APY is less than what Easton Stick and Jarrett Stidham are earning as potential third-string quarterbacks for the Falcons and the Broncos this year, per OverTheCap.

Whether it’s Sanders or third-round pick Dillon Gabriel, a cheap long-term option under center would go a long way in helping Cleveland move forward financially after the disastrous Deshaun Watson deal. His contract still has $170MM remaining in fully-guaranteed money, all due across the next three years.

Packers Sign Round 1 WR Matthew Golden

May 19th, 2025 at 7:09pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Packers have not complete a rookie deal for a first-round wide receiver in 23 years, but as outgoing president Mark Murphy reminded ahead of the team’s Round 1 move in April, one was coming. That draft choice is now under contract.

Matthew Golden agreed to terms on his rookie pact Monday, ESPN’s Adam Schefter tweets. As a first-round pick, Golden — chosen 23rd overall — will see his $17.58MM rookie-scale contract arrive fully guaranteed. The Packers can extend the deal through 2029 via the fifth-year option, a decision that will be due in May 2028. This deal leaves second-round pick Anthony Belton as the only unsigned Packers draftee.

[RELATED: Packers Exercise Devonte Wyatt’s Fifth-Year Option, Decline Quay Walker’s]

This will be Golden’s third team in three years, as the Houston recruit transferred to Texas — which had lost Xavier Worthy and Adonai Mitchell to the draft — in 2024. Golden placed himself on the early-round radar during his Longhorns season, accumulating 987 receiving yards and nine touchdowns to help the team return to the CFP semis. However, the former AAC, Big 12 and SEC contributor cemented his status as a first-round-level prospect by blazing to a 4.29-second 40-yard dash at the Combine.

Golden, 21, made a “30” visit to Green Bay while also meeting with the Broncos, Buccaneers, Cowboys, Chargers, Lions and Texans. The Bucs went with Emeka Egbuka at No. 19, and the Broncos (No. 20) tabled their apparent need for a Courtland Sutton sidekick to Round 3 (Pat Bryant). The Bolts chose Omarion Hampton at No. 22, leaving Golden for the Packers, who made the rare decision to invest in this position in Round 1.

Green Bay’s streak of first rounds without a receiver investment dates to its No. 20 overall choice (Javon Walker) in 2002. The Packers did not extend Walker, trading him to the Broncos during the 2006 draft. Since that point, they have been out of the first-round receiver business. Second-round standouts multiplied in the years that followed, as the likes of Jordy Nelson, Randall Cobb, Davante Adams and Jayden Reed proved themselves to be quality starters. Reed and fellow second-rounder Christian Watson will now take a backseat contractually to Golden, as the Packers have stockpiled rookie-deal wideouts.

Golden’s arrival will introduce questions about Watson and fellow contract-year performer Romeo Doubs‘ futures, as Watson is not expected back until around midseason due to sustaining a Week 18 ACL tear. Two years remain on Reed’s contract, but the Packers have fortified the position, thanks to also adding Savion Williams in Round 3. It will be Golden, however, expected to make an immediate impact due to snapping this organization’s lengthy streak regarding WR investments.

Chargers, First-Round RB Omarion Hampton Agree To Deal

May 19th, 2025 at 2:48pm CST by Adam La Rose

Omarion Hampton is the latest first-round pick from last month’s draft to agree to terms on their rookie deal. The Chargers’ top pick is on the books, Jordan Schultz of Fox Sports reports. The move is now official, per a team announcement.

As Schultz notes, Hampton’s four-year pact is worth $17.77MM. It includes a $9.56MM signing bonus. Like with all Day 1 picks, the Chargers will have the opportunity to pick up Hampton’s fifth-year option and in doing so keep him under team control through 2029.

The North Carolina product was long seen as one of the top prospects in a deep 2025 RB class. Hampton led the ACC in rushing during his sophomore campaign en route to first-team All-Conference and All-American honors. He did the same last year and along the way upped his touchdown total to 40 in three seasons. Across each of the past two campaigns, Hampton averaged 5.9 yards per carry despite logging a heavy workload both times.

As a result, it came as no surprise when he joined Ashton Jeanty in hearing his name called on the opening night of the draft. Hampton – who was long connected to the Broncos at No. 20 given their well-known desire to add in the backfield – remained on the board past Denver’s first selection. In the end, he was selected 22nd overall.

The Bolts inked Najee Harris to a one-year, $5.25MM deal in free agency, bringing in the former Steelers first-rounder as a candidate to handle lead back duties. Harris remained durable and consistent during his four years in Pittsburgh, but it did not come as a surprise to see him depart on the open market. A lack of efficiency and explosive runs have been a source of criticism throughout Harris’ career, and a Day 1 rookie addition certainly leaves the door open to his workload being lower on his second team than it was on his first.

The Chargers were one of two teams to apply the rarely-used UFA tender this offseason, and as a result they will be eligible to receive a compensatory pick if another team signs J.K. Dobbins before July 22. The team will retain exclusive negotiating rights with the former Ravens second-rounder if he remains unsigned after that date. Dobbins handled starting duties upon reuniting with offensive coordinator Greg Roman in 2024, but with Hampton in place it will be interesting to see if he takes part in a follow-up Los Angeles campaign.

Today’s news leaves second-round receiver Tre Harris as the only member of the Chargers’ draft class without their rookie deal in hand. Taking care of that will still leave the team with plenty of cap space for late-offseason moves.

Giants’ Draft Plan Turned Off Some Veteran QB Targets

May 17th, 2025 at 10:00pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Giants now have their quarterback room assembled, adding Jameis Winston, Russell Wilson and Jaxson Dart to join Tommy DeVito. This is the first room assembled by the current regime, which inherited Daniel Jones and stuck with the Dave Gettleman draftee for three years.

A Winston-Wilson pairing to join Dart did not check in as the Giants’ preference, as the team aggressively pursued Matthew Stafford and extended an offer to Aaron Rodgers. Stafford regrouped with the Rams, spurning Giants and Raiders proposals, while Rodgers’ Vikings preference became clear. The Giants may well have sat third in Rodgers’ rankings, as he met with the Steelers on a visit four days before the Giants agreed to terms with Wilson.

Rodgers held a private discussions with Brian Daboll, according to ESPN.com’s Jordan Raanan, who adds some of the available quarterbacks were not onboard with joining a Giants team viewed as one that could then use a high draft choice on the position. Based on how the Steelers proceeded in the draft, Rodgers could certainly be assumed as a player who fits that description. While the increasingly outspoken QB said during a Pat McAfee Show offseason interview he would not object to a team doing what it needed to do in the draft, Pittsburgh not choosing a passer until Round 6 (Will Howard) proves telling.

The Giants made their move much earlier, trading up for Jaxson Dart without using a future first- or second-round pick to do so. New York, which could not convince New England to accept its 2024 trade-up proposal (aimed at acquiring Drake Maye) or Tennessee to sign off on a Cam Ward-geared pursuit this year, used No. 34 overall and 2025 and ’26 third-rounders to move up for Dart.

Stafford was briefly available, and Rodgers continues to hold off on a Steelers signing. It is not known if the Giants engaged with the Seahawks on Geno Smith, but they did look closely at a Sam Darnold pursuit. PFR’s No. 1 2025 free agent, Darnold was believed to be high on the Giants’ QB list in March. Coming off a bounce-back season with the Vikings, Darnold carried tremendous value due to his 2024 form and age. The 2018 Jets draftee will not turn 28 until June, and after he had signed on to be a bridge QB in Minnesota last year, a 35-touchdown pass season gave him more leverage on the market this year. It would thus be unsurprising if Darnold did not strongly consider a Giants team that had also been closely tied to a QB draft move for months.

Darnold returning to New York, considering how his Jets run went, also loomed as a hurdle in the Giants’ path. The eighth-year veteran is now a Seahawk, having joined the team on a deal (three years, $100.5MM) that reminds of Derek Carr‘s 2022 Raiders extension. Seattle can escape the contract with fairly low dead money by releasing Darnold before a roster bonus is due in mid-February. The Seahawks did discuss their Jalen Milroe plans with Darnold, who enters the season as the team’s clear-cut starter.

Daboll has confirmed Wilson is the Giants’ starter, but with the team investing plenty in Dart in a year that features Daboll and GM Joe Schoen on hot seats, the No. 25 overall pick usurping the ex-Seahawks superstar early in the season should not be ruled out.

The Giants do open their season with a gauntlet, as six games against 2024 playoff teams reside on their schedule’s first eight weeks. A friendlier second half does present a Dart runway, but Daboll and Schoen already moved to their respective hot seats based largely on the Jones situation. It stands to reason they will want to at least see Dart in action early, as pressure mounts, though the team will also need to balance this desire out with a debut range that would make the Ole Miss prospect look promising.

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