There is little certainty at the quarterback position and many different paths forward.
The Giants will have to make a choice soon.
Giants head coach Brian Daboll and general manager Joe Schon's opinions on quarterbacks in this year's rookie class garnered plenty of headlines during the summer's “Hard Knocks.”
When asked if he knew enough to trade up to get Jaden Daniels, Daboll said, “I would.”
He became second in command, but was out of reach.
The Post previously reported that Sean then tried to acquire Drake Maye in a trade with the Patriots for the No. 3 pick in the draft.
The Patriots didn't budge.
The Giants then passed on Bo Nix and Michael Penix and promoted Malik Nabors rather than draft a potential replacement for Daniel Jones.
Daniels and the Knicks started and improved from day one, rapidly changing the fortunes of the Commanders and Broncos.
Maye did not start the season as a starter, but was hired in Week 6 and gave reason for optimism.
And when the Giants play the Falcons on Sunday, Penix will be on the bench all year, sitting behind Kirk Cousins.
On Sunday, the Giants were dominated by a quarterback in Lamar Jackson, who didn't go high in the first round, but started his rookie season as a backup and took over in the second half of the season and improved.
The Giants have often seen teams find their quarterback in all sorts of different ways.
As soon as the Giants system returns, they will be tasked with finding their own recipe.
“It's a difficult question to answer because it's just one decision maker in the club who really likes someone and who doesn't like it,” Daboll said on Monday. “I think every situation is different for the quarterbacks they face. It's about consistency. It's about quarterback development.
“All the players you mentioned have different skill sets. They're all playing at a high level. I mean, like you just mentioned, there's a lot more players who aren't hitting it. is the nature of the position and its development.”
Shedule Sanders and Cam Ward were in town this weekend for the Heisman Trophy presentation (Sanders supporting teammate and eventual winner Travis Hunter, Ward as a finalist) and the decision It reminded me of how delicate it is.
It's not just about picking the right quarterback, it's about making the right decisions about how quickly to throw him into the fire.
The Giants could very well be in position to pick either Sanders or Ward at or near the top of the draft.
Even if they do get one, they would need to sign another quarterback to their roster. Drew Lock and Tommy DeVito have done little to earn returns as backups.
Will a veteran like Justin Fields, Jameis Winston or Andy Dalton be selected who can be a short-term bridge starter that allows Sanders, Ward or the rookie to sit and learn before taking the reins?
Or will they spend $5 million this year on lock for less for a player who doesn't get paid much, has a weak pedigree and no fear of starting over as a rookie?
And most importantly, will Daboll and Shane be given enough time to ask that question?
Or, after such a disastrous season, don't they have the patience to let a rookie sit and learn and then grow through early mistakes?
“Everything has been a little bit different here with some guys who have really stepped up to elite level quarterback play in the last five or six years since the draft,” Daboll said. “Again, every situation is different. Consistency there is key.”
This is the second time Daboll has cited consistency as a key to a quarterback's development.
Whether the next Giants quarterback can find that consistency is another story.
