While speaking on Draft Kings Network’s Ross Tucker podcast, New York Giants rookie wide receiver Malik Nabers made his stance clear on the team’s quarterback situation.
Malik Nabers Doesn’t Have Any Preference, He Just Wants Talent.
During an interview with Tucker, Nabers was asked whether he preferred the Giants to draft a young quarterback or bring in a veteran signal-caller. “I would say probably both. I mean, exactly like you say, you’d rather have a young guy you can grow with and a veteran you can play with, or he knows what’s going on.”
“But that rookie also can learn from that vet. That’s a good point. So when he comes in, it’s not like, here, you’re the savior of the team. It makes the level that you’re not so nervous about what you get into.”
Nabers expanded on his point, “Having that, just going into this season, I’m going to use myself as an example. You know, I wasn’t the savior of the team, so I didn’t have that kind of pressure on me. Did I have pressure? Yeah, I was a sixth overall pick, but it wasn’t like that kind of pressure the quarterbacks have. You’re trying to change the franchise.”
He continued, “You come in; they don’t have no quarterback there. You have to change this franchise around. I don’t want that on a younger guy, a young QB. That can mess up their mind. You start hearing that, you know, you’re a buzz. They should never pick you. That kind of brings you down. So I’d rather have a vet that can teach that rookie, you know, and then when it’s time comes, it’s time comes.”
Malik Nabers talks why he prefers to have a veteran and a rookie in place at QB for the Giants entering 2025.
Great interview with one of my favorites @RossTuckerNFL pic.twitter.com/lx6yxhLHuV
— awthentik (@awthentik) February 15, 2025
The New York Giants released quarterback Daniel Jones just days after announcing his benching in favor of third-stringer Tommy DeVito in November. Jones, who signed a $160 million contract last offseason, requested his release, and both parties mutually agreed upon the decision.
“Daniel came to see me this morning and asked if we would release him,” Giants president John Mara said in a statement. “We mutually agreed that would be best for him and the team. Daniel has been a great representative of our organization, first class in every way.”
The Giants did work to attempt to secure a high draft position, and they currently hold the third overall pick. The team can select a top prospect with a high NFL Draft pick, but veteran free agents are also on the market.
Potential Veteran Options for the Giants
Pro Football and Sports Network recently ranked the top veteran quarterbacks available in free agency. That list includes:
- Sam Darnold
- Justin Fields
- Russell Wilson
- Jimmy Garoppolo
- Joe Flacco
- Mason Rudolph
- Carson Wentz
With Nabers advocating for a mix of youth and experience under center, the Giants front office faces a crucial decision in the coming months. Will they roll the dice on a rookie or bring in a veteran presence to steady the ship?