The NY Giants have been full of surprises in the first wave of free agency. The blockbuster trade for Brian Burns took everyone for a spin, but acquiring Drew Lock from the Seahawks created more questions about incumbent starter Daniel Jones.
Granted, the Giants had kicked the tires on Russell Wilson before trading for Lock. Furthermore, 2023 backup Tyrod Taylor signed a two-year deal with the Jets. Though Tommy DeVito was a fun story, there’s no way GM Joe Schoen was going to enter a huge 2024 season with DeVito as his backup quarterback.
Drew Lock was asked what he's been told about his opportunity to start for the Giants:
"Daniel Jones is the starter of this team. That's been conveyed to me." pic.twitter.com/RQghHyZG76
— Giants Videos (@SNYGiants) March 15, 2024
However, an appearance on Seattle radio from Seahawks general manager John Schneider flipped everything upside down. Schneider claimed the Giants told Lock that he would compete with Jones for the starting job.
“They basically sold him on the opportunity to compete to be the starter,” Schneider said. “And he felt like it was the right opportunity. He looked at Baker Mayfield’s opportunity last year and felt that this could be something similar.”
We’re not sure what prompted these remarks from Schneider, but Lock put out the fire at his introductory press conference on Friday.
Drew Lock clears up Daniel Jones-Giants rumor started by Seahawks GM John Schneider
“Daniel Jones is the starter of this team,” Lock clarified “That’s been conveyed to me. Now, I need to come in and push Daniel to be the best that he can be. That’s the role that I played for Geno [Smith], that’s the role I played for Teddy [Bridgewater].
What do you know? It turns out Lock he never made mention of Baker Mayfield to Schneider and that the Giants made it clear that Jones is the starting QB.
While Lock may ultimately push Jones during training camp, it’d be a rash decision of Schoen and Brian Daboll to approve of a QB competition. Jones disappointed last season before his ACL injury, but he’s entering his third season in Daboll’s offense. Lock has to learn the system and develop chemistry and cadence with his offensive line and receivers.
Jones may not be long for East Rutherford, but he’s not far removed from accumulating 22 total touchdowns to six interceptions two seasons ago and leading the Giants to an upset victory of the Vikings in the playoffs. Like it or not, Jones gives the G-Men the best chance to win in 2024 when healthy.
We’re not sure what drama Schneider was trying to stir with his remarks. Maybe Schneider was looking out for his former quarterback, but the only thing he accomplished was place unnecessary expectations on Lock and create a QB controversy that lasted all of 24 hours.
