With the 2024 NFL offseason underway for many teams, it’s a common sentiment to look toward free agency and the NFL Draft. For the New York Giants, quarterback is one of the things they’re going to look into.
Yet, an NFL insider recently shared that the Giants are more likely to bring in veteran competition for Daniel Jones through free agency rather than drafting a rookie quarterback. Who could they bring in?
Who Could the Giants Bring in To Compete With Jones?
In 2023, Jones’ season did not go how he or the Giants would have liked. Playing in just six games due to injury, he passed for 909 yards, two touchdowns, and six interceptions. He also rushed for 206 yards and one score. The Giants were 1-5 under his lead.
Jones suffered a torn ACL when his leg buckled while trying to move in the pocket. He attempted to return, but his knee gave out in the middle of the next play. Following surgery, he was given an 8-to-10-month recovery estimate.
Prior to the 2023 season, Jones signed a four-year, $150 million contract extension. The contract came with $92 million in guarantees and $35.5 million coming in 2024. The Giants do, however, have an out in his contract following the 2024 season.
According to Matt Miller of ESPN, the Giants will likely look toward free agency instead of the draft for their quarterback problem. “The rumors swirling at the Senior Bowl among agents is that the Giants are more likely to add a veteran free agent QB to compete with Daniel Jones than draft one early,” said Miller.
The free agency quarterback pool is an interesting one in 2024. Some of the top options include Baker Mayfield, Kirk Cousins, Ryan Tannehill, Jacoby Brissett, and so on.
Mayfield is the likely top option in free agency, as he is just 28 years old. In his first season with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, he had a redemption. He passed for 4,044 yards, 28 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions. It’s unlikely the Giants pursue him, though, as he could come at a hefty cost.
Next on the list is Cousins, who is much older at 35 years old. Cousins only played in eight games in 2023 due to a torn Achilles. While he is still recovering, he was one of the NFL’s best quarterbacks during his half-season. He passed for 2,331 yards, 18 TDs, and five INTs.
Cousins, similar to Mayfield, could also be out of the Giants’ price range, though. According to Charley Walters of the Pioneer Press, Cousins is looking for a two-year deal worth $90 million guaranteed.
Ultimately, both Mayfield and Cousins are unlikely to be in the conversation due to more than just price. The Giants are looking for competition with Jones, not an outright replacement. Price, mixed with the lack of competition, would likely leave the Giants uninterested.
Tannehill and Brissett are both options that would make sense. At 35 and 31 years old, respectively, neither should command a large sum of money. Additionally, both have played in 155 and 79 games, meaning they’re both experienced and could give Jones serious competition.
Tannehill’s 2023 season spanned 10 games, and he passed for 1,616 yards, four touchdowns, and seven interceptions. He suffered multiple injuries and, when healthy, was ultimately benched in favor of rookie quarterback Will Levis.
Brissett, on the other hand, played in just three games in 2023 for the Washington Commanders. He passed for 224 yards, three TDs, and no picks. His most recent start, however, came in 2022, when he started 11 games for the Cleveland Browns, going 4-7.
MORE: 2024 NFL Free Agents by Position
Free agency doesn’t begin until the new league year starts. The 2024 league year starts March 13 at 4:00 p.m. ET. The 2024 NFL Draft will take place April 25-27 in Detroit.
As the 2023 NFL season comes to a close, the 2024 NFL Draft is on the horizon. Pro Football Network has you covered with everything from team draft needs to the Top 100 prospects available. Plus, fire up PFN’s Mock Draft Simulator to put yourself in the general manager’s seat and make all the calls!