The New York Giants are entering their third season with quarterback Daniel Jones expected to be their starter. Jones was a shocking selection at sixth overall in 2019, but he has exceeded most expectations that fans set out for him. His rookie season was filled with plenty of ups and downs, and while he showed improvement in some areas, his second season also came with a plethora of struggles.
Daniel managed to improve his turnover problem that plagued his rookie season this year, but this issue has not been completely fixed just yet. Jones has flashed a lot of great potential, but he needs to be more consistent in 2021. This will be his third season playing quarterback in the NFL, a crucial stepping stone for young signal-callers. Giants fans are expecting to see a year-three breakout in 2021.
But the Giants cannot afford to put all their eggs in one basket. Daniel Jones is absolutely their starting quarterback. However, this is a quarterback who has missed four games due to injury in two years. Jones has had a bit of bad luck in the NFL, but injuries have been a recurring problem since college.
The New York Giants possess an excellent defense. Their offense is set to improve next season as well as the team has vowed to add playmakers this offseason. New York cannot allow those talents to go to waste in the event that Daniel Jones goes down with another injury in 2021. The Giants have to invest in their backup quarterback position to provide additional security to their team.
Backup quarterback options
In 2020, the Giants rolled on with Colt McCoy as their backup quarterback. Colt was asked to start in place of Daniel Jones twice this season. While Colt McCoy was not atrocious, he was not a quarterback that would propel a team to victory. Rather, McCoy was a quarterback that would keep the team from plummeting into a loss. He was not good, but he was good enough in some instances.
The Giants could certainly do better at the backup quarterback position though. Many teams around the league have started to invest more into their second-string quarterbacks. The Giants, having a starting quarterback with at least some kind of knack for getting injured, need to do the same this offseason.
Jacoby Brissett
One quarterback the Giants should consider in free agency is Jacoby Brissett. The 28-year-old Brissett is a quarterback with legitimate experience as a starter, and a decent one at that. Jacoby spent two seasons as the starting quarterback for the Indianapolis Colts and two seasons as the Colts’ backup within the last four years. In 2019, Jacoby started fifteen games, going 7-8, passing for 2942 yards and 18 touchdowns with only 6 intercpetions.
This touchdown to interception ratio is impressive and is the reason Brissett is such an attractive option as a backup quarterback. Jacoby might not light up the scoreboard, but he will move the football with efficiency and rarely put the ball in harm’s way.
Nick Mullens
The Giants could also consider Nick Mullens for their backup quarterback position. Mullens has been the backup quarterback for the San Fransisco 49ers since 2018. But with Jimmy Garoppolo suffering through numerous injuries over the past few years, Nick Mullens has enjoyed extended playing time.
At only 25-years-old, Nick Mullens is a young backup quarterback that still has some room to grow. Mullens has started 16 games in the last three years and has occasionally put together some big-time performances. Nick Mullens is a little less careful with the football, though, throwing 25 touchdowns and 22 interceptions in 16 starts. But Nick is a quarterback with a great attitude that is always healthy and available, ready to give average quarterback play to a team in need.
Less proven options
The Giants could also take a chance on some younger, less experienced options. Names like Josh Rosen and Joshua Dobbs stand out as young quarterbacks who failed to reach their potential in difficult situations. I would like to see New York invest in a more proven commodity for additional security, but these younger options could provide a high ceiling for New York’s backup position.
Additionally, one last name to keep an eye on is Colin Kaepernick. Colin has not played football in the NFL since 2016, but he has expressed interest in making a return to the league. Of course, Kaepernick was once a proven quality starter in the NFL, taking the 49ers to the Super Bowl in 2012. But his four-year absence football leaves plenty of question marks surrounding the former 49ers’ starter. Colin is a quarterback for teams to consider though, once again, in 2021, if he still has the desire to return to the league.