You made most of my point. I also believe the Giants take a QB in the draft. I do not see them dumping Eli and commiting to starting whoever that rookie they get is, before the draft even happens. Don't forget that they can still trade off Eli later in the season or next year without painting themselves into a corner. He has several years left on his contract. So if it is not going to happen when FA opens, then when. Middle of training Camp ?? and which of those QB desperate teams is going to pass on the FAs and wait until then on the chance Eli comes available ?? and would Eli be willing to go to that team ??
Just reading the "Tea Leaves" here
Remember last year, Teams were lined up to go after Romo until Jones got greedy and sat on him until middle of training camp and then no market. I can't believe Romo did Jerry such a huge favour and retired. He should have just kept collecting his check and have Jerry eat the salary cap
The Giants priority now has to be coach and GM, and I don't think getting someone who will buckle to Fan/Media pressure is very high on their list. They'll want what is best for the team long term. I can not see how dumping Eli for that unknown at this point rookie QB will be best for the team
but this is not Dallas, and the Owner Mara likes Eli. If Eli wants to leave, they will work a deal. Yes they could trade him later, but later won't get them picks THIS year, which they need.
$20 million in cap space to get needed help is nothing to sneeze at, especially if they can get some kind of picks for Eli as well. Lets face it, there are a handfull of teams that desperately need a real Qb to get them over the hump, Denver comes to mind most...heck even Minnesota. The cost for Cousins will be HUGE. Both Denver and Minnesota need to win now, as their defenses are aging, and going to get more expensive to keep. Getting Eli for a 2nd round pick or even less, would meet the need of a solid Qb that can win games if needed. Jacksonville also fits that mode, but their issue is they might lose some Wr talent this year due to Robinson and Lee being FAs.
Buffalo also comes to mind, but I am not sure what they will do, and doubt they do as well. One other wild card to me is Miami. When Cutler is good Cutler they can really move the ball. When Cutler is bad Cutler(Tannehill) they suck.
Giants might sit on Eli yes. Draft the future early and let the kid learn. Issue there is if team still sucks, and they want to start the rookie, there will be NO value for Eli, teams will wait for them to just cut him. Now is the time to deal him to get maximum value.