Free Agent QBs Demanded Giants Avoid 2025 Rookie QB Draft

According to a report from August 1st, 2025, the New York Giants met with multiple free agent quarterbacks this offseason, including Aaron Rodgers and Joe Flacco. However, these veteran QBs apparently had some specific requests before signing with the team.

Giants GM Joe Schoen revealed that several of the free agent quarterbacks they spoke to asked the team to not draft a rookie QB in the 2025 NFL draft. Schoen stated that "it's one of those deals" where the players wanted a guarantee that the Giants would not select a young QB in the upcoming draft.

When asked directly if Rodgers was one of the players who made this request, Schoen did not provide a definitive answer, saying "no" but not sounding entirely convincing. Ultimately, Rodgers ended up signing with the Pittsburgh Steelers, while Flacco joined the Cleveland Browns.

Schoen made it clear the Giants were not willing to make that promise, saying "We're not going to promise that. I don't know who's going to be there and we don't know how the draft is going to unfold." He emphasized the team wanted to keep their options open for the future.

The Giants did end up drafting a quarterback, selecting Jaxson Dart from Ole Miss in the first round after taking edge rusher Abdul Carter with their initial top-3 pick. This suggests the veteran QBs' requests were not met, as the Giants maintained flexibility in their 2025 draft plans.