The NFL Draft scenario is getting quite complex. Well, we’ve all seen how Colorado QB Shedeur Sanders and dual-threat Travis Hunter’s stocks have hit low notes. While NFL scouts are still in a dilemma as to which position Hunter would flourish in, Shedeur’s off-field antics have been the villain in his case. However, someone seems to have held their position steady for quite a long time now. That’s none other than Miami Hurricanes QB Cam Ward.

From the very beginning, he has been hailed as the No. 1 pick. So much so that now even the $7.6 billion NFL giant is considering a trade-up. Meanwhile, Aaron Rodgers also enters the conversation, stirring the pot.

QB-Hungry Giants eager to deepen ties with Cam Ward

Well, Ward must have done some good work, you see. Not just in the gridiron but in the off-field as well. After all, the Buffs QB Shedeur has been charged with having many “red flags.” That’s mainly because Deion Sanders’ son comes across as a bit cocky to some scouts, plus he’s got that whole rapping hobby going on. Ward, on the other hand, lives and breathes football, and that’s scoring him big points. Surprisingly, the Miami QB has been able to keep himself in the good books, too. On the Pat McAfee Show, Giants beat reporter Art Stapleton sounded confident about the New York Giants climbing the ladder for Ward.   

The show’s co-host, Boston Connor, had some questions for the insider. “How about the third pick, Art? It feels like even if they do get that vet…that there’s still a chance they might take a quarterback, or is there any reports about who they might be kind of in love with in this upcoming draft class?” Connor seemed too concerned about whether a quarterback stands a chance at three or if they would rather go for Abdul Carter or Hunter.

Stapleton assured that all three QBs—Shedeur, Ward, and Jaxson Dart—are in the first-round discussion. However, the Giants are likely to pull the ‘trade up’ card for Ward. The analyst stated, “I think if they can pull off a deal with Tennessee to get to number one I think they’ll take Cam Ward.” However, he maintains a diplomatic tone.

Stapleton states that if the Giants are at No.3 they can either take a QB or take the best player. “Could be Carter, could be Travis Hunter. And then maybe they trade back at the end of the first round if a guy is still there like a Jaxson Dart, maybe a Jaylen Milroe…maybe even a Shedeur Sanders.” But for Pat McAfee, it’s going to be Ward. The analyst re-shared only the Miami QB’s part, quoting Stapleton in the caption.

It seems the meetups did go well, and the Giants would love to know Ward even more. “I think they like his upside…they’ve liked meeting with him. They want to meet with him more over the next month or so,” Stapleton noted. Now the fight is going to be tough. After all, the first three teams—the Titans, Browns, and Giants—each need a quarterback. Already the Giants HC Brian Daboll wanted to trade up to get Jayden Daniels. However, the Washington Commanders took him at No.2 last year. Trading up to get Ward would be a long-term solution at the most important position. After all, the Miami QB led the nation with 39 touchdown passes and finished second with 4,313 yards passing. However, a vet is peeping from the corner as well. 

Will pursuing Aaron Rodgers be a hail-mary move? 

Looks like Daboll and co. have fallen prey to the Aaron Rodgers’ charm. For a Giants regime now in its fourth season, the pressure is mounting. There is a lingering battle between either this or that.

Either to win more games or face termination. Maybe landing Rodgers might be just what this team needs to rejuvenate the offense. After all, they had a tough time with Daniel Jones—inconsistent play, injuries, and a lack of progress in key moments. Right now Tommy DeVito is the only QB active on the Giants roster, while Tim Boyle and Drew Lock are going free agents. In such a tough spot, Stapleton dished out his take on the chances of the New York Giants x Aaron Rodgers collab. 

The analyst shared, “From my understanding right now… they are pretty significantly down a road where they are negotiating to the point where, if Rodgers ends up a Giant before the start of the league year, it would not be a shock to people in this area and at the Meadowlands.” Now will pursuing Rodgers be an easy task? Not at all.

“The reality is they need to sign a veteran quarterback and they need to look in the draft and get their future quarterback. And that’s not easy to do; it’s been a hell of a year in New York, as you guys know, for the Giants at every step, every decision they made backfired.” Four quarterbacks, three wins, and a month-long “Hard Knocks” docuseries. In Ward’s case, their deal is not likely to come easy; they would have to trade up. Looks like in Rodgers’ it’s going to be a tug-of-war kind of situation.  

The Las Vegas Raiders would make sense as a suitor, while the Tennessee Titans could also see him as a bridge quarterback. However, no matter where Aaron Rodgers heads, any team signing him will be doing a short-term plan. Now come on. No one would want to hoard a 41-year-old in the pro league. Plus, his declining gameplay….A career-worst 12.4% off-target throw rate, a career-worst 4.1% touchdown rate, a 2.3% interception rate, and the highest pressure-to-sack ratio. A trade-up for Cam Ward looks like a better option.