The offseason for the New York Giants has been nothing short of a rollercoaster, particularly when it comes to their quarterback situation. After a significant overhaul of last year’s quarterback room, the team’s front office has turned their attention to new faces, adding Jameis Winston and Russell Wilson in swift succession. While this duo may not be the everlasting answer fans are hoping for, they represent a step towards rejuvenating the offense and injecting some much-needed energy into the organization.
Interestingly, there’s chatter that this shift might have even nudged Aaron Rodgers closer to retirement, but we’ll leave that for another discussion.
Given that the Giants hold the coveted No. 3 overall pick in the upcoming draft, many had assumed they’d be vying for one of the top quarterbacks available, such as Cam Ward or Shedeur Sanders. However, a twist this week might suggest a broader strategy as the Giants’ brass were seen at Louisville’s Pro Day, where they turned their attention to quarterback Tyler Shough.
While Shough isn’t as widely recognized as some of his draft classmates, he’s been gaining traction among evaluators following a strong season at Louisville and an impressive showing at the Senior Bowl. Standing at 6-foot-5, he brings the size that NFL teams crave, along with a strong arm and experience in both spread and pro-style offenses, making him an intriguing prospect.
In 2024, he showcased his talents by throwing for 3,195 yards and racking up 23 touchdowns, completing 62.7% of his passes. Notably, he’s been on the radar of several NFL teams, including the Cleveland Browns, Las Vegas Raiders, Seattle Seahawks, and Pittsburgh Steelers, all of whom have expressed interest in him. There’s even speculation that he could break into the top half of Day 2 in the draft.
For a Giants team that could also consider drafting impact players like Travis Hunter or opting to trade back altogether, bringing in Shough later in the draft—perhaps in the second or third round—could provide them with a developmental quarterback with significant upside without the pressure of using that high third pick.
While this may not signal a complete overhaul of their draft strategy just yet, the decision to attend Shough’s Pro Day with key personnel in tow certainly indicates that the Giants are keeping their options open. As the draft approaches, if the board unfolds in a certain way, Tyler Shough might just find himself playing a pivotal role in the Giants’ future plans, much to the surprise of many observers.
