Giants great Tiki Barber makes damning remarks about team's recent decisions

The New York Giants' dismal season worsened on Sunday as they suffered a 34-7 loss in Week 16 to the Atlanta Falcons, who handed rookie Michael Penix Jr. his first career start. It was their 10th straight defeat, the worst run in franchise history.

Giants quarterback Drew Lock had a horrendous day. He completed 22 of 39 pass attempts for 210 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. He was also sacked three times. Franchise icon Tiki Barber was, unsurprisingly, disappointed with the team's performance. However, he believes the decision-makers are intentionally sabotaging the team and are tanking without admitting it.

On WFAN Sports Radio, he claimed that the decision to start Lock indicates that the top brass have no desire to win any more games this season:

"I’m not saying they’re tanking, but I told you months ago who Drew Lock was ... There are moments where he’s gonna make terrible, game-changing decisions. I’ve seen it since he was a rookie. I found myself saying, 'Forget giving you the best chance to win. Playing Drew Lock almost ensures that you’re going to lose, because he’s going to do this constantly.'”

Since the 2021 season, Lock has a 1-7 record as a starter. Barber believes the Giants are fielding him under center over Tim Boyle because they know the 28-year-old won't help them win any games.

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NFL Draft Order 2025: Giants in pole position to land franchise QB

If Tiki Barber's claims are in line with the New York Giants' thought process, things have worked out exactly as they envisioned. Their loss to the Falcons coupled with the Las Vegas Raiders' win over the Jacksonville Jaguars has seen them slip to the bottom of league standings.

If New York (2-13) fails to win one of its last two regular-season games, it will pick first in the 2025 NFL draft. Colorado Buffaloes star Shedeur Sanders and Miami Hurricanes signal-caller Cam Ward are expected to be the first two quarterbacks taken off the board.

The Giants can choose either of the two and build the roster around them in 2025. It's been a historically underwhelming season for the franchise. However, if it yields a franchise quarterback, especially only months after they released Daniel Jones midway through the season, the fans and the top brass will likely believe the struggles were worth it.