The New York Giants will have just one quarterback under contract when the new league year begins in March: Daniel Jones.
Alex Tanney was initially signed through 2020, but after the team released him and later re-signed him in October, it voided his previous deal and was replaced by a one-year deal, according to Spotrac.
As a result, the Giants will need to find a quality backup to help mentor Jones in 2020 and likely beyond. And while the available pool is relatively thin, here’s a look at four possibilities and one extreme long-shot.
Alex Tanney
Let’s start with the obvious…
Fans were furious when the Giants kept Alex Tanney around this past season, arguing that he was a waste of a roster spot and provided little.
The Giants, of course, insisted Tanney did a lot behind the scenes, which rookie quarterback Daniel Jones agreed with, often praising the veteran for working with him in the building and away from it.
“Alex has been a huge help for me. He’s obviously been in the NFL for a while and knows the game really well,” Jones said in October. “He’s a super smart guy, someone I have a great relationship with and have leaned on to prepare and to get ready to play. With him and Eli in there, I think we have a special room, a special group and I really appreciate all the help from those two guys.”
Case Keenum
There simply aren’t a lot of reasonable backup options out there. The top veteran quarterbacks are all looking for starting jobs, so that leaves players like Keenum available for lesser roles.
Still just 31 years old, Keenum is hardly the veteran some others on this list are, but comparatively, he may be one of the few logical options for a backup to Jones.
There had been some speculation during Pat Shurmur’s two seasons as head coach that he Giants may look to add Keenum, but that never occurred. Now, even with Shurmur gone, it could make some sense because he’d be able to come in and help develop Daniel Jones, but also provide a potential option as a spot starter in the event Jones got injured again.
Most of the other names on this list wouldn’t be great choices in a spot-start scenario, which is the one true advantage Keenum has here.
Matt Moore
The 35-year-old Matt Moore has been around the NFL for nearly a decade and a half, much of it serving as a reserve behind other young up-and-comers. It’s a role he’s familiar with and one he’s embraced at this late stage of his career.
In his spare time, Moore has already taken to a teaching role of sorts, working as an assistant coach at a Southern California High School while also preparing to play in Super Bowl LIV.
If Moore decides to return to the NFL for his age-36 season, working behind Daniel Jones in New York might not be a terrible fit for him.
Josh McCown
Josh McCown is one tough son of a gun, but he’s also incredibly intelligent, his football knowledge is off the charts and he’s a locker room leader if there ever was one.
At 41 years old and coming off of a major injury, McCown may decide to retire from football (again) and possibly get into coaching. Or return to broadcasting. But if he doesn’t and wants to give it one more year, the Giants may be the most logical fit.
McCown has served as a High School quarterbacks coach for nearly a decade now, spending time with Marvin Ridge High School and Myers Park High School, which really just speaks to his love of teaching young players — which is precisely what head coach Joe Judge wants in his staff and veteran players.
A staff position is something we previously suggested for McCown, but if he’s willing to put the pads on for one more season, backing up Daniel Jones might be an ideal scenario.
Eli Manning
The likelihood that Manning returns to backup Jones — something he has adamantly ruled out — is slim to none, but with precious few options, the Giants may try to convince Eli to remain at a substantially lower cost.
Manning was a positive influence on Jones and helped his development greatly, but doing that for a second season would be a tough sell. However, it would keep Manning in the league and provide him a potential opportunity to play, which he may not receive elsewhere.
Early indications are that Manning is leaning toward retirement, but if the waters dry up and the Giants find themselves in a precarious position, co-owner John Mara may simply ask Eli for a favor.
Again, the odds of Manning return to backup Jones are nearly non-existent, but stranger things have happened.
