The New York Giants needed a plan in case something happens to seemingly bionic quarterback Eli Manning. Veteran Josh Johnson is part of it for the next two seasons.
Johnson is set to re-sign with the Giants to serve as the backup to Manning. The deal will be for two years, according to his agent Doug Hendrickson.
The Giants brought Johnson in just prior to the start of last season, after backup Ryan Nassib completed a dreadful preseason. Johnson, 30, eventually became the backup as Nassib struggled with injury, and he will now retain the role for the next two years.
Terms: 2 years
Grade B+: Johnson is a veteran who likely comes at a reasonable price. This is important given the Giants' limited remaining funds for free agency. Johnson knows the offense and brings a different dimension to the offense with his mobility. He also provides the team with the luxury of taking a mid-to-late-round flier on a quarterback who could learn as the Giants' third-stringer.
What it means: The Giants now have their backup to Manning for the 2017 season, no matter what they do in the draft. Johnson knows the system after spending all of last season with the team and impressing the coaching staff and players, even though he didn’t take a real snap or appear in a game. Johnson amazingly hasn’t played in a game since the 2013 season with the Cincinnati Bengals. Nonetheless, he’ll serve as the short-term insurance for the indestructible Manning for a second straight year, although this time likely without Nassib as part of the roster. Nassib is a free agent and recovering from elbow surgery. It also means Geno Smith, who visited last weekend, likely won't be joining the Giants.
What’s the risk? They are putting a lot of trust in a quarterback with little playing experience in recent years. If something happens to Manning, it might take Johnson some time to knock off the rust. He hasn’t thrown a pass in a regular-season game since the 2011 season, when he was with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
