New York Giants 2017 Roster Preview: Quarterbacks

Josh Johnson and Geno Smith

With the New York Giants likely keeping three quarterbacks on their roster in 2017, there is a competition for the backup gig.

Josh Johnson was the Giants backup QB in 2016 while Geno Smith signed with Big Blue in the offseason after spending the last four seasons with the New York Jets.

Despite the criticism Manning gets, Giants fans should all hope that Eli is the only quarterback taking meaningful snaps this year.

Just in case, however, New York needs a backup with more experience than their rookie third round pick.

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Josh Johnson has not seen regular season action since 2013 and has not attempted a pass in a regular season game since 2011.

Geno Smith, as New York sports fans know, has been a turnover machine in his game action. In 33 career games (30 starts), Smith has thrown 36 interceptions and lost seven fumbles.

It may seem crazy, but I think Geno Smith wins the backup job.

Josh Johnson was a fifth round pick in 2008 and has very little upside if pressed into game action.

Geno Smith, on the other hand, was a second round pick in 2013 and was supposed to be the Jets franchise quarterback. Obviously, that didn’t even come close to working out, but the Giants don’t need Smith to be their franchise QB.

Perhaps the Giants coaching staff can unlock some of the talent that NFL evaluators saw from Geno when he was at West Virginia that made him a second round pick.

Jets fans might make fun of the Giants for giving Geno Smith a chance but the 26-year-old gives Big Blue more upside than Josh Johnson. And remember, the plan is for no one to line up at quarterback except for Eli Manning.