Brian Daboll sends eye-opening message to Giants ownership after 45-33 win against Colts

In a season marred by a franchise-record 10-game losing streak, the New York Giants found a glimmer of hope in Week 17 with a 45-33 victory over the Indianapolis Colts at MetLife Stadium. Quarterback Drew Lock stepped into the starting role, following the mid-season Daniel Jones trade, and delivered a career-best performance with five touchdowns.

Reflecting on his team’s performance, head coach Brian Daboll highlighted the importance of coaching a quality quarterback. He said:

"If you get good quarterback play, you have an opportunity in every game. If you don't turn the football over and you make critical plays at critical times. I think we were good on third down, I think we were good in the red zone. Drew made good decisions, we had a lot of alerts. That's the start of it, and then you have to play good complimentary football."

Daboll’s bold and direct statement communicates to the Giants’ front office the indispensable value of spearheading the team with a reliable quarterback in the NFL.

Meanwhile, Lock put up a stunning display vs the Colts, completing 17 of 23 passes for 309 yards. Wide receiver Malik Nabers became the first Giants rookie to achieve 100 receptions in a season after a stellar show on Sunday.

The Giants' victory over the Colts had unintended consequences for their future plans. Entering the game, the team was in contention for the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft—a position that could potentially secure a franchise-altering talent. Their win over the Colts moved them down to the fourth spot in the draft order, potentially complicating their ability to select a top-tier quarterback prospect.

---

Drew Lock responds to New York Giants missing out on No.1 pick

After a record night in New York, Lock quickly dismissed concerns about the team’s draft position.

“Who cares about the No.1 pick,” he said.

The Giants face an organizational challenge. The Daniel Jones trade signalled a rebuilding phase, but Lock's performance indicated that competent quarterback play can elevate the entire roster. And here's their dilemma: Should they invest in developing Lock further or pursue a new quarterback in the upcoming draft?

As the Giants prepare for their season finale against the Philadelphia Eagles, all efforts will be directed towards evaluating talent and making strategic decisions for the future. Whether the Giants choose to build around Lock or seek new talent next year, the message is clear: the path to competitiveness begins under center.