The New York Giants experienced a paradoxical situation this past Sunday, as their victory over the Indianapolis Colts, with a score of 45-33, ultimately hindered their chances for the highly sought-after No. 1 pick in the 2025 NFL draft.
With this win, the Giants (now at 3-13) slipped from the coveted first position to the fourth spot in the draft order. The New England Patriots, also at 3-13, seized the top pick. Interestingly, the Patriots have no pressing need for a quarterback, given that rookie Drake Maye has emerged as one of the team’s standout players this season. However, the Tennessee Titans, who currently hold the No. 2 pick, are reportedly in the market for a franchise quarterback. The Cleveland Browns are expected to take a similar route if they remain at No. 3. This turn of events puts potential contenders like Shedeur Sanders and Cam Ward of Miami out of reach for New York if they settle for the fourth pick.
The joyful scene at MetLife Stadium, marking the Giants’ initial home victory of the season, was met with mixed feelings from fans, particularly as it dashed their hopes for a higher draft position. Quarterback Drew Lock commented on the team’s mindset: “The playoffs are out of reach, but we’re focused on showing up and winning these remaining games. Each week, our goal is to give our best efforts.”
It is unusual for players to deliberately lose games. Football remains a physically intense sport, and intentionally losing would invite unnecessary risks. Moreover, personal pride, contract negotiations, and job security heavily influence player performances in the NFL. Darius Slayton, a wide receiver, emphasized this by stating, “We’re not tanking. This is football — a contact sport, and I’m not going to let anyone take advantage of me just to tank.”
Coaches would also face challenges if they were instructed to prioritize not winning. With potential job insecurity hanging over coach Brian Daboll, his focus would typically remain on immediate performance rather than draft status. Similarly, general manager Joe Schoen could also face termination, making it difficult to adopt a losing strategy unless ordered from higher up in the organization. This involves benching key players and letting a third-string quarterback take control, but the Giants opted against such a plan.
This recent victory could prove to be a setback for the organization, especially if they fail to secure a franchise quarterback moving forward. However, Daboll expressed his relief in avoiding a discouraging 0-9 home record, saying, “It’s challenging to maintain consistency in a league like this, especially when results haven’t favored us. Our commitment toward working hard and preparation has not gone unnoticed. It feels good to secure a win at home, not just for me, but for the players and coaches.”
In a related but different context, the Las Vegas Raiders, who also find themselves in the search for a franchise quarterback, were vying for the top draft slot before they won consecutive games, resulting in their current position at No. 8.
Raiders coach Antonio Pierce remarked recently, “We don’t play to lose. The outcome of games is not influenced by anyone’s fantasy leagues or draft predictions. Our sole focus is on winning, and that is all that matters to us,” even if this winning streak complicates the long-term success of the franchise.
In the world of professional football, the struggle between competiveness and future planning often leads to such convoluted situations, altering both team trajectories and fan expectations.
