What if the Giants could acquire a quarterback who threw 35 touchdown pᴀsses and just 12 interceptions in 2024? What if that quarterback led his team to a record of 14-3? And what if that guy was just 27 years old? 

What is there not to like about all that? 

And why does the thought of the Giants pursuing Sam Darnold induce so much cringing and hand-wringing? 

This is not a “Sign Sam Darnold’’ plea, but it does feel as if the desperate-for-a-quarterback Giants and Darnold are not much of a thing. Sure, they are exploring all options, and Darnold is one of those options. There are plenty of reasons for the Giants to look the other way. The problem is, there are reasons to stride away from all of the impending free agents.