Pat Shurmur: Josh Allen was nearly a New York Giant in 2018

Former Giants coach dishes on his tenure with the team, as well as Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter, in exclusive interview

In an exclusive interview with Big Blue View arranged to discuss top NFL draft prospects Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter of Colorado, former New York Giants coach Pat Shurmur dropped a bombshell. He said that if the Giants had passed on Saquon Barkley at No. 2 in the 2018 NFL Draft and selected a quarterback it would have been reigning NFL MVP Josh Allen.

“Had we not drafted Saquon, the quarterback that I felt like we should have drafted was Josh Allen,” Shurmur told Big Blue View.

“We took Saquon, who we felt was the best player in the draft with the No. 2 pick. In the next year, we were looking, now it was time, we needed to get a quarterback, right? We had a Hall of Fame player in Eli [Manning] that was near the end. And so we needed to get a guy. And in that year, it came down to Daniel Jones and Dwayne Haskins, right? God rest his [Haskins’] soul.

“And so we took Daniel. And then, as an organization, we picked those players for the right reasons. Saquon was Rookie of the Year, had the same number of touchdowns that year as he had this year, right? And, obviously the arrow up on him. Played Daniel the second year because of all those attributes. And you have to say after his first year, the arrow was up on him.”

Shurmur, of course, got fired by the Giants after that 2019 season. He never got a chance to finish the work he started with Jones, and Jones is now a journeyman hoping to beat out Anthony Richardson for the starting job with the Indianapolis Colts.

How much different might the Giants’ fortunes in recent years have been if Allen, clearly one of the game’s top five quarterbacks, was calling MetLife Stadium home?

Which brings us back to Sanders and Hunter

Shurmur has had a few opportunities recently to get in front of a microphone and make his pitch for Sanders and Hunter. He repeated his go-to phrase in our conversation.

“If you’re a team that needs a quarterback, take Shedeur. If you don’t need a quarterback, take Travis,” Shurmur said. “I think everybody can say I’m biased and that’s fine. But I just really believe in those two young men.”

The Giants, of course, need a quarterback. Whether or not they land one of the two big-name veterans they are flirting with in Aaron Rodgers and Russell Wilson, a rookie quarterback needs to be on the 2025 NFL Draft menu.

Sanders, because of his Hall of Fame father and all of the attention that was focused on his college career, is seen by some as a flashy player always in the public eye.

Shurmur said neither player is what some in the general public think they are.

“I don’t pay much attention to all this. But when I work with those two players and again, I don’t know how they’re totally presented into the whatever you call it, but they’re very shy in my opinion,” Shurmur said.

“They’re basically shy, shy people. Probably get a little bit out of their comfort zone for some of the things that gets presented on social media. And they’re just great, terrific young people that are looking to get better.”

Does Sanders need time before becoming an NFL starting quarterback?

“First of all, whenever you’re drafted, then you have to develop from that point to when you play. And I think all all college players have to develop to some degree,” Shurmur said. “There’s obviously a pressure to play guys sooner when they’re picked higher. And that’s just the reality of it. But I think Shedeur will get himself ready to play.

“Let’s just say the Giants draft him and he’s ready to go Week 1, then he should play. If he needed a little bit more time than whoever else is there, or Brian [Daboll] decides that this other guy right now gives us the best chance, then so be it.”

Shurmur brushed aside the idea that Deion Sanders, Coach Prime, would be an overbearing presence for whatever franchise drafts Shedeur.

“I love Coach Prime. I love what he is as a person,” Shurmur said. “Obviously, I love who he is as my boss. I think he’s got great courage and he’s willing to say what’s on his mind. And I think that’s great.

“He’s a unique human being. You know, he’s a you know, a gold jacket player. We talk Super Bowls. He did about all you can do in baseball. He was on TV for multiple years.

“He’s an A-list celebrity. When he goes to L.A., he probably stops to see Snoop Dogg first. And he’s an accomplished head coach at the major college level. I mean, a lot of people in the world would like to just be one of those things.

“And so he’s very unique. And it’s it’s been a great experience for me to work with him and for him. And so I think it’s a good thing.

“Shedeur has great backing from somebody that knows not only the business, but knows who Shedeur is. And so I think it’s a very positive thing. And I don’t think the team should be wary of that.”

Does Shurmur think the Giants would be a good landing spot for Sanders?

“I do, actually,” Shurmur said. “I love Brian. I think I think he’s he’s trying to do all the right things.

“I’m glad he’s getting his extra year. I wish we would have had our third year because then we could have moved forward with with Saquon and Daniel and the other players we had drafted. And then Year 3, there’s a lot of examples where good things happen in the third and the fourth year. And then then you’re off to the races.

“So I’m happy that he’s getting that. And he’s an outstanding coach. Joe Schoen’s an outstanding GM and I’m rooting for them to have success. So, that’s about what I can say about that.”