(Video) Giants’ Joe Schoen Pushed Hard to Steal Cam Ward from the Titans During the NFL Draft

Joe Schoen was persistent up until the last moment as he attempted to strike a deal with the Tennessee Titans for the Giants to move up to the first overall pick.

(Video) Giants’ Joe Schoen Pushed Hard to Steal Cam Ward from the Titans During the NFL Draft

Joe Schoen attempted to strike a deal to bring Cam Ward to the Giants (Image Credits: AP/X)

The New York Giants went into the NFL Draft, seeking to pick their next franchise quarterback. The team had multiple options to pick from, but the most realistic candidates were Shedeur Sanders and Cam Ward. Despite having signed veteran Russell Wilson, the Giants were expected to pick a quarterback and groom him to replace Wilson.

However, things changed quickly on draft night as GM Joe Schoen opted to pick Abdul Carter with their first pick of the night. The Giants picked Jaxson Dart at quarterback with pick number 25. However, GM Schoen was really hoping to land another name.

The franchise wanted to draft Cam Ward, who went first overall to the Tennessee Titans. He knew that the Titans were going to take Ward, and in a bid to check if there was a possibility of the Giants moving up to number 1 overall, Schoen took a shot in the dark before the draft began.

In a video posted by the New York Giants, showcasing behind-the-scenes footage of the draft day process, Joe Schoen called up Tennessee’s general manager, Mike Borgonzi, one last time to ask if there was a chance the team would consider allowing the Giants to go first overall.

The Giants Life: 2025 NFL Draft shows video, a friendly conversation between the two general managers highlights John Mara’s interest in Cam Ward. Schoen eagerly rings up Borgonzi and strikes up a light conversation, hoping that he will hear a positive response from his counterpart.

Were you waiting for this? Are you gonna pick? I had to do it, I had to do it. All right, man. Well, good luck to you man. I was gonna wait and just call you now on the clock, so I figured you guys were picking. But thought I’d give it one more swing.

Joe Schoen was quoted saying on the phone

Unfortunately, Tennessee had made up its mind. They wanted Cam Ward, and they got him.

The University of Miami quarterback’s draft stock kept fluctuating in the weeks leading up to draft day. The Titans had explored all available options from Shedeur Sanders to Cam Ward to Travis Hunter and Abdul Carter. Ultimately, they were convinced that they needed a quarterback, and Ward was the best fit for their franchise.

Joe Schoen anticipated the Titans to pick Cam Ward

While Schoen did not disclose the player he wished to pick on the call, the moment he hung up the phone, he told both owner John Mara and head coach Brian Daboll, “Tennessee’s gonna pick. I think Ward’s going here.”

He was right, as the Titans wasted no time in picking their new franchise quarterback. The Giants knew that Travis Hunter would not be an option either, as the Jacksonville Jaguars picked him second overall.

Cam Ward
Cam Ward (Image via Open Source)

Fans expected Schoen to pick Shedeur Sanders at number three, but instead, the team opted for Abdul Carter, the defensive end out of Penn State, the man who has been compared to Micah Parsons. His addition will boost their defense and play a vital role in helping turn the Giants’ bad luck around. Interestingly, New York had pick number 25, and Sanders was still available at that point. Yet, they chose Jaxson Dart over him.

This was a surprising move because Sanders had been making a push to join New York months before draft day. Joe Schoen knew a week before that Travis Hunter would go to Jacksonville, so in that gap, they had made up their mind to draft Abdul Carter. However, the team attempted to strike a deal to move up to number one until the last minute.

Despite the minor setback, the Giants franchise deserves credit. This year, they fared well at the draft, picking immensely talented players to fulfill their positional requirements.

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