Quinn and Cantara - The Blood and The Treasure · PYX 106 (WPYX-FM)

GIANTS NEW SIGNINGS 2026

March 10, 2026·11 min·1 clip

John Schmelke reveals the Giants made a strong splash in free agency, starting with tight end Isaiah Likely.

The episode opens with host Quinn welcoming Giants broadcast team reporter John Schmelke to discuss the NFL tampering period and New York's early free agency moves. Schmelke characterizes the Giants' activity as a strong but not extravagant splash, contrasting it with the Raiders and Titans who spent heavily. He identifies the signing of tight end Isaiah Likely from Baltimore as a scheme signal, suggesting the new staff will use more multiple-tight-end formations with Likely functioning as a big slot receiver. Schmelke notes this replaces Wando Robinson, who departed to the Titans in a move connected to Brian David's offseason exit. The discussion then shifts to linebacker Tremaine Edmonds, a former first-round Bills pick who spent five years in Buffalo and three in Chicago before the Bears released him to save roughly $12 million in cap space. The Giants signed Edmonds around $12 million, positioning him as a run-stopper and green-dot communication player under head coach John Harbaugh. Jordan Stout, a punter from Baltimore, is highlighted as a Harbaugh-driven special teams priority, with associate head coach Chris Warren also having a connection to Stout. The Daniel Jones franchise tag situation with Indianapolis dominates a significant portion of the episode. Schmelke explains that Jones is reportedly seeking $50 million annually on a three-year deal, which he considers excessive given the Achilles injury. He notes the Colts are in a difficult position because they traded away their 2025 and 2026 first-round picks, leaving them without a clear alternative at quarterback. Schmelke credits Jones' camp for leveraging this situation, comparing it to how Jones previously forced the Giants' hand in a contract year. The conversation briefly touches on Tua Tagovailoa potentially signing a one-year deal with Atlanta, with Schmelke noting his fit in a dome given the Falcons' uncertainty around Pennix's ACL recovery. Malik Willis's contract with Miami is analyzed in detail: Schmelke frames it as an inflation of the Justin Fields Jets contract, adding one year and more guarantee money. He explains that coach Jeff Hathaway's familiarity with Willis from Green Bay rationalizes the move despite Willis having only six career NFL starts. Kyler Murray is briefly mentioned as the last notable quarterback still available, with Minnesota discussed as a potential landing spot. Jermaine Illumador's return at right tackle is noted as a positive development for the Giants' offensive line stability. Late in the episode, Schmelke identifies Reggie Gilliam's move from the Bills to the Patriots as his pick for most impactful signing of the day. The episode wraps with Schmelke arguing that the only sustainable path to winning in the NFL is drafting well and retaining players on cheap rookie contracts, as the free agency market consistently overpays second-tier talent due to a structural supply-demand imbalance.

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