HURRY UP, OFFENSE
Giants need to act fast to figure out 2019 QB situation
There have been no leaks yet from the Giants on their intentions at quarterback, but it’s never too early to take action if they intend to move on from Eli Manning.
Last year, Kansas City and Washington had agreed on the trade of Chiefs QB Alex Smith to the nation’s capital by Jan. 30, even though the deal couldn’t be completed officially until the start of the new league year in mid-March.
So if GM Dave Gettleman is looking to replace Manning via trade, he arguably already should be laying the groundwork with the Philadelphia Eagles for Nick Foles, the Oakland Raiders for Derek Carr, or the Denver Broncos for Case Keenum, and so on.
Foles’ situation already is evolving quickly since the Eagles’ Sunday playoff elimination, for example, so the Giants should be proactive if they’re interested.
Eagles coach Doug Pederson made clear Tuesday that “Carson (Wentz) is the quarterback” for 2019. Foles, who turns 30 on Sunday, wants to go somewhere he can start. And there are plenty other expected suitors for the Super Bowl LII MVP, including the Jacksonville Jaguars, Miami Dolphins, Denver Broncos and Washington (after Smith’s devastating leg fracture and complications).
Foles could be available via either trade or free agency depending on how he and the Eagles proceed with his 2019
option year and a potential franchise tag. But as the Giants' draft scouting ramps up at next week's Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala., Gettleman presumably is walking in with a plan for how much he is attacking the trade/free agent market vs. the draft at QB.
Whether the GM has made a decision on Manning or is still deliberating is unknown, but there have been a few developments in the QB market the last few days outside of Foles.
Kyler Murray, 21, Oklahoma's Heisman Trophywinning quarterback, declared for the NFL Draft, which adds a big name alongside Dwayne Haskins' in the top 10. And though it'd be a shock for the Giants to draft a 5foot-9 quarterback, running back Saquon Barkley was quoted by TMZ at the airport saying of Murray, “I know how talented he is” from playing 7-on-7 with him at The Opening showcase in high school.
Colts backup QB Jacoby Brissett, 25, meanwhile, sounds like he may be off the board for Big Blue if they were seriously interested prior. Indy GM Chris Ballard was quoted in the Indianapolis Star saying “it'd take something that would blow me away … I'm not giving (Brissett) away. I won't do it.”
The Senior Bowl is an event to watch as the Giants scout QBs for the draft.
The Giants have drafted each of the last two Senior Bowl Game MVPs, both quarterbacks: Kyle Lauletta (2018) in the fourth round out of Richmond, and Davis Webb (2017) out of Cal in the third.
In 2016, Dak Prescott won the Senior Bowl MVP Award and was selected in the fourth round of that year's draft by the Dallas Cowboys.
Eight quarterbacks will participate in this year's Senior Bowl: Daniel Jones (Duke), Ryan Finley (N.C. State), Will Grier (West Virginia), Drew Lock (Missouri), Trace McSorley (Penn State), Gardner Minshew (Washington State), Jarrett Stidham (Auburn) and Clayton Thorson (Northwestern).
Only a month later, the NFL Combine will kick off in Indianapolis. And right around the corner will be the start of free agency March 13, followed by the Giants owing Manning a $5 million roster bonus on March 18.
Gettleman must make his decision by then. But given all the moving parts, the real deadline on deciding a direction at quarterback is much sooner.