The New York Giants have long been searching for stability at the quarterback position, and rookie wide receiver Malik Nabers may have just made his preferred choice clear. While speculation continues to swirl about potential quarterback options for the Giants in 2025, Nabers has taken it upon himself to publicly endorse a name that could change the franchise’s trajectory: Matthew Stafford.
The LSU product, known for his explosive playmaking ability, hasn’t been shy about expressing admiration for the veteran quarterback.
Malik Nabers Praises Matthew Stafford
Whether through interviews or social media, Nabers has dropped strong hints that he’d like to see the Super Bowl-winning signal-caller in a Giants uniform. Given recent reports that the Los Angeles Rams may be open to moving Stafford, it’s not hard to connect the dots.
In a recent interview with NBC’s Matthew Berry, Nabers was asked what he liked about Stafford’s game. His response left little room for interpretation.
“His arm talent is crazy. His sidearm is crazy. He knows the defense. I like the way he throws the football.”
Malik Nabers joined #FFHappyHour today from Radio Row at the Super Bowl and of course we had to ask him about those cryptic tweets. @ConnorJRogers @croucherJD @SNFonNBC @NBCSports @rotoworld_fb pic.twitter.com/3lyg5bV4CU
— Matthew Berry (@MatthewBerryTMR) February 6, 2025
That’s about as clear as it gets. Nabers isn’t just a fan of Stafford, he seems to believe the 36-year-old quarterback still has elite ability and the kind of skill set that could elevate the Giants’ offense and take the team on a run similar to how he did with the Los Angeles Rams in 2022 when they won Super Bowl 56.
Deleted Social Media Posts Add Fuel to Speculation
As if his comments weren’t enough, Nabers also took to social media with a pair of cryptic messages that had fans buzzing. On Feb. 4, he posted a short message for New York on X.
“9 and 10 🐏👀.”
The very next day, he doubled down with another post:
“9🐏.”
For those keeping track, Stafford wears No. 9, and his longtime Rams teammate, wide receiver Cooper Kupp, wears No. 10. The use of the ram emoji left little doubt that this was a direct reference to the duo that helped lead Los Angeles to a Super Bowl victory.
The posts have since been deleted, but the message was received loud and clear: Nabers wouldn’t mind catching passes from Stafford next season. And if that means pairing him with a veteran who could teach him a thing or two? Even better.
What This Means for the New York Giants
Stafford, despite his age, is still one of the league’s most talented passers when healthy. In 2024, he threw for 3,762 yards and 20 touchdowns despite playing behind an inconsistent offensive line. His experience, arm talent, and ability to elevate receivers could be exactly what the Giants need to maximize Nabers’ potential as their top offensive weapon.
In 2024, Stafford finished as the 22nd-best passer by PFN’s QB+ metric, a far cry from what Nabers dealt with as a rookie.
Of course, acquiring Stafford would come with challenges. His contract isn’t cheap, and the Rams won’t just give him away. But with Los Angeles reportedly open to reshaping its roster, there’s a window for New York to explore a potential move — especially if the city’s young superstar has anything to say about it.
Nabers has made his preference known, but it remains to be seen whether the Giants’ front office will act on it. While it’s unlikely a rookie wideout would have enough pull to influence a major trade, his excitement about Stafford does raise an interesting question.
Should the Giants be aggressive in pursuing a veteran quarterback or rely on the No. 3 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft?