Giants Sign QB Davis Webb, P Jamie Gillan to Reserve/Futures Contracts

Webb was originally drafted by the Giants in the third round in 2017 but was unceremoniously cut the following year. Now he gets another chance at it.

Author:
Patricia Traina
Updated:
Feb 7, 2022 3:08 PM EST
Original:
Feb 7, 2022

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New York Giants

The Giants drafted quarterback David Webb in the third round of the 2017 draft with an eye toward him potentially succeeding then starter Eli Manning after he retired.

Although that scenario didn't pan out for the 27-year-old Webb, who was unceremoniously cut in favor of Kyle Lauletta in 2018, Webb now has a chance to pick up where he left off after signing a reserve/futures contract with the team Monday.

As far as the 6'5", 227-pound Webb potentially being the starter, that probably won't happen so long as Daniel Jones, whom the Giants have repeatedly committed to as their starter, finally takes steps forward in his development.

Still, the fact remains that the Giants, whose backup quarterback play last year left a lot to be desired, is in dire need of an upgrade, and new general manager Joe Schoen and head coach Brian Daboll believe that Webb is a solid option that can provide that.

In addition, Webb, due to his familiarity with Daboll's core offensive philosophies, would likely be an ideal teacher not just to Jones but to the rest of the offense.

Webb played three years at Texas Tech before transferring to Cal for his final college season in 2016. He appeared in 35 games, going 841 out of 1,367 pass attempts (61.5 percent completion percentage) for 9.852 yards, 83 TDs, and 34 interceptions.

The son of a football coach, Webb was widely lauded by scouts for his arm strength, athleticism, work ethic, and football acumen. Still, he was viewed as a developmental prospect because of questions concerning his accuracy and lack of experience in pro-style offenses.

Webb became caught in the crosshairs of the change at general manager when Dave Gettleman, who succeeded Jerry Reese, brought in Lauletta as a developmental prospect. Webb then was signed to the Jets practice squad before ultimately joining the Bills practice squad in 2019.

With Webb's contract with Buffalo having expired, he is now free to join whatever team he chooses. Apparently, there is strong mutual interest in reuniting with the Giants, where he would begin as a backup to Jones and where it is thought he could step in and be an upgrade over Mike Glennon, last year's backup, should Jones be unable to play.

The Giants also announced that they signed punter Jamie Gillan to a reserve/futures contract. Gillan, nicknamed the Scottish Hammer because of his Scottish roots, was originally an unsigned free agent out of Arkansas-Pine Bluff by the Cleveland Browns.

In 44 games with the Browns, Gillan averaged 44.9 yards per punt. The Browns waived him on December 22, 2021 and he was picked up by the Bills on their practice squad.