The New York Giants will be in the market for a backup to quarterback Daniel Jones this offseason and early rumors have them targeting Mitchell Trubisky.
Trubisky, of course, has some familiarity with Giants general manager Joe Schoen and head coach Brian Daboll. All three spent the past season in Buffalo and Trubisky recently raved about Daboll’s offense. But in the end, it will all come down to the financials.
The Giants are in rough cap shape and will have little to spend in free agency, while Trubisky is suddenly a hot name. Some believe he’ll warrant a contract of up to $10 million annually, but former New York Jets general manager Mike Tannenbaum thinks it could be even more.
In fact, Tannenbaum sees Trubisky landing a contract with up to $16 million with that $10 million guaranteed at signing.
For teams seeking a QB this season, consider this: If Trubisky was in this year’s draft class, I think he would clearly be the top signal-caller. Why not bring him in for a year, see what you have and then reassess next offseason? The 2023 offseason will offer the likes of Derek Carr and Kirk Cousins in free agency, and possibly Bryce Young and C.J. Stroud in the draft. Best case, you win big with Trubisky. Worst case, you try again with a much better crop to passers to pick from. (I think Young could be the real deal, and if I were a team that is in need of a long-term quarterback and that could be near the top of the draft order in 2023, I’d be pretty excited.)
Trubisky has already started 50 games and is only 27 years old. He has led his team to the playoffs in two seasons. Yes, he needs to continue to improve his accuracy, but because of his character, work ethic and age, he might end up the best available quarterback out there. And you can sign him to a reasonable contract.
That’s a hefty price for a historically inconsistent quarterback. It’s also far more than the Giants should be willing to spend on a backup — or even a one-year starter for that matter. If that’s the approach required with Trubisky, the team would be (and will be) better suited just paying Daniel Jones less money for one season. Jones also comes with a higher potential ceiling.
The Giants will, of course, sign a quarterback to backup and compete with Jones, but they’ll have to be much smarter with their money. $16 million is out of the question and even $10 million is pushing it.
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