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Cut ‘Em or Keep ‘Em: Part IV Quarterback

Because it's never too early to throw out the trash and build for a better tomorrow, I'm conducting a position review. We'll look at contracts, age, role, and draft/free agency needs as we evaluate each position. So we're clear, I'm not evaluating the Final 53, I've no issue keeping a guy for the 90 man roster at this time.

Parts I, II and III looked at the Secondary, Running Backs and Wire Receiver. My apologies for the misnamed title of the WR article (which said TEs).

The QB Position Under the New Judge Regime

Joe Judge and Jason Garrett inherit Second Year QB Daniel Jones. The team's success is tied to Jones’ development. While the starting job may be settled, the QB depth chart is an important consideration for every team.

We all know that Garrett did not control the roster in Dallas, but it should be noted that Dallas employed all different kinds of QB depth charts over the past decade from aging former starters (Jon Kitna), fringe starters who make for competent backups (Kyle Orton), 1st Round busts (Brandon Weeden, Mark Sanchez), and youngsters like Dak Prescott and current backup Cooper Rush. The only pattern that emerges seems to be the frequent absence of a third QB on the depth chart.

New England during Judge’s tenure often employed a Day 2 draft pick as the backup (Ryan Mallet, Jimmy Garrapollo, Jacoby Brissett) with a smattering of competent backup Brian Hoyer. Of course, the Patriots have had unique stability at the position for a little while.

Given Jones’ age, the Giants likely will prefer a veteran backup and, as they do every year, try to identify for the roster / practice squad a developmental guy to serve as a cheap backup down the road if they roster a third.

The Core: The Franchise

Daniel Jones. Keep. Let’s hope the turnovers are behind him and we see a second year leap.

Could be Core, Could be Cut: N/A

Gone: Retired

Eli Manning. Gone; Retired. After 16 seasons and two rings, we bid adieu to Eli.

Vets Competing for Last Spots. The end of the roster is always a numbers game, which means injuries, free agents and draft picks will alter the math. These guys could emerge with a roster spot come September.

Alex Tanney. Keep (for now). The veteran out of Monmouth remains on the roster after inking a 2-year deal in 2019. Near as I can tell, he’s got a $1 million cap hit and no dead money if cut. We know Shurmur liked him and we can only assume that goes for Gettleman too. Then again, it would take less than a 5 minute discussion between Gettleman, Judge and Garrett to decide to move on.

The Back of the 90-Man. Camp bodies though you never know when someone will emerge from the pack

None, as of now. To reduce the volume of throws during spring practices, someone will be brought in who likely has little/no chance of making the final 53.

Outlook: Draft/Free Agency

The first item on the agenda will be the "veteran backup position." Tanney checks a number of boxes but is hardly an elite backup. There will be several vets potentially available in free agency with reasonable price tags, including Chase Daniel, AJ McCarron, and Blaine Gabbert, and a few other pricier QBs like Case Keenum, who will have to accept backup roles. There are others out there like Trevor Siemian, Blake Bortles, Sean Mannion and our old friend Geno Smith. Someone will be brought in, unless they roll with Tanney. I will note that I doubt we will bring in anyone who is looking to compete for playing time like Marcus Mariota (so if Keenum fits into this category, he's out). A few of these QBs have clear West Coast offense ties and may not be ideal fits in Garrett’s offense . . . but we’re talking the backup here and guys like Gabbert have probably learned every type of terminology used in the NFL. There are a number of career backups in the 35+ year old range like Chad Henne, Drew Stanton, etc. If the Giants want to roster a 3rd QB, perhaps an older QB will be under consideration too.

We will bring in a rookie QB – likely a couple UDFA perhaps together with a late Day 3 pick – for the summer. If any impress, perhaps they can stick around in some form.

Unlike in past years where we are actively looking for a developmental backup, I actually think we may care this year. Tempted to say I’d rather have the staff fully focused on Jones anyways. Of course, once again, they will need bodies in camp to take some reps and if any impress, then they'll have a shot.


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