Colin Cowherd often presents audacious trade proposals, and his latest may be his most outrageous yet. He suggested a scenario where the New York Giants trade the No. 3 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft for the 37-year-old Matthew Stafford from the Los Angeles Rams, with the 41-year-old Aaron Rodgers coming in as a temporary replacement.
Cowherd referenced NFL insider Albert Breer, who mentioned the Giants as a potential destination for Stafford but did not propose that New York would part with a top-three pick. Cowherd claimed that a “longtime NFL exec” he consulted did not dismiss the idea of such a trade. “So, there is a quote this morning in an Albert Breer story,” Cowherd elaborated. “The big domino in this year’s quarterback market is Matt Stafford. I am going to propose something — I just talked to a longtime NFL exec, and he said, ‘This is not crazy.’”
He added, “The Rams like Matt Stafford, but they are tiring of the constant quarterback chatter, especially with his wife making public comments. They’re a bit frustrated with Cooper Kupp going public about something they wished to keep under wraps. They appreciate Stafford, but don’t want to restructure his deal for a big contract.” Meanwhile, regarding the Giants’ current quarterback situation, Cowherd noted that they are not enamored with the quarterback draft class. “Brian Daboll, the head coach, and Joe Schoen, the GM, need to win or they’ll be out by Thanksgiving,” he warned. “Other NFC teams are improving, and the Giants will have to make a move on Matt Stafford.”
When discussing the Rams’ desires, Cowherd said, “What the Rams want, I’m told, is the Giants’ No. 3 pick. They might settle for a first and a fourth, but let’s focus on that No. 3 pick. The Rams want that pick because they are drafting later and wish to trade down for more picks—especially to bolster their chances next year for a quarterback.” ESPN’s Adam Schefter firmly stated, “There is no way in hell that the Giants are giving up the third overall pick for Matthew Stafford.”
Just had @AdamSchefter on Talkin’ Ball with Pat Leonard. He told me “there is no way in hell that the #Giants are giving up the third overall pick for Matthew Stafford” if trade talks ever occur. But it might not even come to that.
Schefter said the #Rams‘ “first priority” is to… pic.twitter.com/vKUqwoXSQA
— Pat Leonard (@PLeonardNYDN) February 13, 2025
This led Cowherd to propose a secondary trade idea: if Stafford is dealt, the Rams might pursue Aaron Rodgers as a possible one-year rental. “If Matt Stafford moves, what the Rams will look for is a one to two-year rental at quarterback — Aaron Rodgers,” he stated. “Rodgers needs a rehabilitation phase; the Packers improved without him, and he’s facing image issues after a messy situation with the Jets. He has a home in Malibu, and with a division containing Geno Smith, Kyler Murray, and Brock Purdy, the timing seems right.” Cowherd emphasized, “Rodgers was effective in the last ten games last season despite a sub-par coaching staff—now he could thrive under Sean McVay with a solid o-line and a promising young defense.”
Matthew Stafford to the Giants, Aaron Rodgers to the Rams—Cowherd’s proposal raises eyebrows. Although there are many flaws in this speculation, particularly questioning why the Giants would trade the No. 3 overall pick for a 37-year-old quarterback unless they believe they are Super Bowl contenders. Also, for the Rams, if they wish to move on from Stafford, switching to Rodgers, who is 41 and recovering from a torn Achilles, raises concerns. It seems unlikely that such a transaction would occur under the parameters Cowherd suggests.
