New York Giants Interested In Hendon Hooker Despite Daniel Jones Extension
The New York Giants have been largely irrelevant in the NFL landscape since legendary quarterback Eli Manning rode off into the sunset. Aside from drafting running back Saquon Barkley and trading star wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr., there hasn't been much to make of the Giants.
That all changed when team brass hired head coach Brian Daboll this past off-season. Daboll previously served as the Buffalo Bills offensive coordinator, pairing with star quarterback Josh Allen to create one of the league's most dynamic passing attacks.
Daboll came into East Rutherford with sky-high expectations and immediately exceeded them. New York finished 9-7-1, winning their wildcard game against the Minnesota Vikings before running into the NFC Champion Philidelphia Eagles.
Their offensive revelation came partly because of the improved play from quarterback Daniel Jones. The former No. 8 overall pick struggled in his first three seasons in the NFL; the front office declined his fifth-year option before the season, signifying they were ready to move in a new direction.
However, his 2022 performance deserved a fresh contract, which is exactly what the Giants gave him. Jones inked a four-year agreement with New York on March 7; the deal was valued at around $160 million, with $85 million guaranteed and $35 million in incentives.
Despite supposedly locking up their quarterback of the future, reports confirm that the front office is quietly interested in Tennessee Volunteers quarterback Hendon Hooker. USA Today reported that the two sides met "extensively" during the NFL Combine, and the interest is very real.
They will host him on a top-30 visit in the coming weeks, according to The Draft Network's Ryan Fowler. The franchise could be searching for a safety net in case Jones rubber bands back to his former turnover-prone self.
Hooker's rehab timetable could work in New York's favor. If the Giants take a quarterback, there would inevitably be some noise in training camp about their performance, and Jones would be glancing over his shoulder at every turn.
However, Hooker will spend the entire summer rehabbing from injury and wouldn't be ready for live game snaps until week one of the regular season. No one expects him to be a meaningful contributor in his rookie season with a new team coming off a serious lower-body injury.
The quiet path may be the road best traveled for the Giants; if Jones backs up his performance, you can roll forward in 2023 and beyond with him as your starting quarterback and a capable backup in Hooker. If not, you got a full evaluation of what Jones can do before pivoting to an all-conference passer.
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