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Veteran backup quarterback Josh Johnson will return to the New York Giants next season, per his agent.
congrats to @Fam1stFamilyQB on signing with @Giants on 2 year deal! @MoneyLynch @marcuspeters #familyfirst
— Doug Hendrickson (@DHendrickson41) March 17, 2017
Johnson, 30, joined the Giants last season as the team’s third quarterback, along with Eli Manning and Ryan Nassib. Nassib and Johnson were both free agents, and it always seemed Johnson was the more likely of the pair to return.
A 2009 fifth-round pick by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Johnson has played in 29 games with five starts. He has started only one game since his rookie season, though, and has not thrown a pass in regular-season game since 2011.
The Giants are also signing former New York Jets quarterback Geno Smith, according to multiple reports, a perhaps unexpected move considering the Johnson signing.
There has been much speculation that the Giants might use a mid-round draft choice on a developmental quarterback. The Johnson signing would not appear to preclude them from doing that if they find a player they like.