Empire Writes Back
Fansided

New York Giants: Could Geno Smith Be Eli Manning’s Successor

By Kenneth Teape

Oct 23, 2016; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets quarterback Geno Smith (7) throws a pass during the pregame warmups for their game against the Baltimore Ravens at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 23, 2016; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets quarterback Geno Smith (7) throws a pass during the pregame warmups for their game against the Baltimore Ravens at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

Could the New York Giants develop Geno Smith to be Eli Manning’s successor?

The New York Giants shook up the quarterback room this offseason. For the past three seasons, Ryan Nassib had been the backup to Eli Manning. This season the Giants are going in a different direction.

Josh Johnson, who was signed last September, was brought back on a two-year deal. Joining him will be former New York Jets quarterback Geno Smith. The two will battle it out during the offseason to be the backup behind Manning.

Right now, Johnson probably has the upper hand. He has a leg up in experience, as he knows the playbook from being in the system for a season. Smtih is also recovering from ACL surgery; he had to pass a physical for the Giants to sign him, but Johnson is healthy.

The backup quarterback spot isn’t usually one that garners much attention. But, for the Giants, it will become important. With Manning in the twilight of his career, the Giants need to begin planning for life after him. Could that be on that includes Smith?

More from Giants Rumors

Smith was signed to a one-year deal this offseason by the Giants. Head coach Ben McAdoo was asked about the possibility of him being Manning’s successor at the NFL Owner’s Meetings this week. “I can’t see why not,” McAdoo said.

Manning has three years remaining on his contract, so there is some time for the Giants to find their next franchise quarterback. Smith struggled with the Jets, but there is no denying that there is some talent there.

Smith was selected in the second round of the 2013 NFL Draft out of West Virginia. He played in a spread system there and would have benefited with some time to adapt to the NFL. He wasn’t given that chance by the Jets and the results were more negative than positive.

Smith went 12-18 with the Jets; given what he had surrounding him, that isn’t as horrible a record as it would seem. He went 8-8 his rookie season with Jeremy Kerley as his No.1 wide receiver. The whole team took a major step back in 2014 as Rex Ryan couldn’t figure anything out offensively.

Everyone knows what happened before the 2015 season, as Smith was punched by a teammate and subsequently broke his jaw. He lost the starting job to Ryan Fitzpatrick, who led the team to a 10-6 record but came up short against Ryan and the Bills and missed the postseason.

There is an argument that could be made that the Jets would have done just as well, if not better, with Smith under center. Fitzpatrick put up a career season, which proved to be a fluke. Smith is the more talented player but didn’t receive a fair shake at times with the Jets.

The Giants are giving Smith an opportunity at a clean slate. He could have signed with another team that gave him a better shot at starting, such as the Cleveland Browns. But Smith chose the Giants and is hoping he can learn from Manning.

Next: Where Are The Giants In The Post Free Agency Power Rankings?

The Giants are hoping that he can as well. If they can get him to figure some things out, the Giants could have Manning’s successor. Smith is only 26-years old right now, so there is still time for him to make something out of his career. Nothing will be handed to Smith, as he will have to earn his roster spot. If he is able to do that, the Giants could have something on their hands to work with.

Home/Giants Rumors