Giants sign Drew Lock as Daniel Jones’ new backup quarterback

NFL

By Paul Schwartz

It was a lock that the Giants were going to sign a backup quarterback in free agency and the one they decided on Tuesday is Drew Lock, who is not too old to be considered a has-been and not too young to be viewed as inexperienced.

Lock, 27, replaces Tyrod Taylor, who agreed to terms Monday night with the Jets.

Lock received a one-year deal for $5 million, fully guaranteed.

The Giants did not discount bringing Taylor back for a third year but it appeared as if the football relationship had run its course. Taylor’s price tag — two years for up to $18 million — also drifted too high for the Giants.

Lock was a 2019 second-round pick out of Missouri and is 9-14 in 23 career starts — 21 starts in his first three years with the Broncos and only one the past two seasons with the Seahawks.

He will enter a quarterback room that includes Daniel Jones, coming off reconstructive knee surgery, and Tommy DeVito, who as an undrafted rookie in 2023 was forced onto the field and actually won three consecutive games for the Giants.

What does the addition of Lock mean, as far as the Giants taking a quarterback high in the NFL draft next month? Not much.

The Giants own the No. 6 overall pick but on Monday traded away one second-round pick, No. 39 overall, to the Panthers to acquire edge rusher Brian Burns.

The Giants still have No. 47 overall in the second round. Lock on the roster for the 2024 season will not influence the Giants either way, as far as what they do or do not do at quarterback in this draft.

Jones, coming off ACL surgery, is on schedule in his rehab and is expected to be ready to participate in training camp this summer.

General manager Joe Schoen said after the season that signing a backup was a priority, given Jones’ physical status coming off a significant injury and Jones’ concerning recent injury history — two neck injuries and the serious knee issue.

Schoen also said if Jones is healthy the expectation is he will be the starter in Week 1.

With Lock on the scene, DeVito needs to hope the Giants have interest in keeping three quarterbacks and that the Giants do not take a quarterback in the draft.

Lock is young enough to possess potential and has been around long enough to add value as a backup capable of stepping onto the field and competing at a high level.

Last season, Lock started for the Seahawks in Week 15 against the Eagles and directed a 92-yard drive, with his team trailing 17-13.

Lock hit Jaxon Smith-Njigba for a 29-yard touchdown connection with 28 seconds remaining to lead the Seahawks to a 20-17 victory.

In Week 4 last season, Lock entered a game against the Giants at MetLife Stadium after starter Geno Smith went down with an injury.

Lock led his offense on a 75-yard touchdown drive before Smith was able to return.

Lock in his five-year career has completed 59.7 percent of his passes, with 28 touchdowns and 23 interceptions. His career passer rating is 79.5.

On the first two days of free agency, quarterbacks went quickly. Marcus Mariota went to the Commanders and Sam Darnold (Vikings), Jacoby Brissett (Patriots), Taylor (Jets), Gardner Minshew (Raiders) and Jameis Winston (Browns) all found new football homes.

The Giants did not want to wait any longer to find their backup.

---

DT A’Shawn Robinson, who last season started 13 of 17 games for the Giants in his first year with the team, agreed to a three-year deal worth $22.5 million with the Panthers.