A former NFL executive suggests an unconventional trade involving New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones.
Former NFL executive Mike Tannenbaum has proposed a solution to the New York Giants’ quarterback predicament. During an appearance on ESPN’s Get Up program, Tannenbaum suggested a trade scenario in which the Giants would send quarterback Daniel Jones to the Cleveland Browns in exchange for quarterback DeShaun Watson and a second-round draft pick.
Tannenbaum argued, “If you’re the Cleveland Browns, you have Dorian Thompson-Robinson, you have Joe Flacco, and now, a 27-year-old Daniel Jones who has one year left of guaranteed money for $36 million and an enormous amount of flexibility moving forward.”
He continued, “If you’re the Giants, you’re getting Deshaun Watson, who’s 29 — who’s making $46 million a year over the next three years — and a second-round pick. To me, [the Giants] need a frontline difference-making quarterback.”
While Tannenbaum emphasized the need for a difference-making quarterback, the financial aspects of the proposed trade make it impractical for the Giants. Trading Jones before June 1 would result in significant savings, but the dead money acceleration would be considerable due to the remaining signing bonus.
Acquiring Watson’s fully guaranteed contract would impose a substantial financial burden on the Giants, given their current cap space limitations. As of now, the Giants have limited effective cap space and total cap space to address various needs in free agency and their 2024 draft class.
The suggested trade may not align with the Giants’ financial constraints, and a more viable approach would be to retain Jones for the upcoming year. The Giants could allow him to start if healthy, and if not, plug in a veteran backup quarterback signed in free agency. Additionally, adding a young quarterback through the draft on a rookie contract could provide an opportunity for development without immediate pressure.
The Giants could reassess their quarterback situation after the 2024 season, considering Jones’s performance and health. If necessary, they could explore alternative options without incurring further guaranteed money owed to Jones, potentially making strategic moves to enhance their roster.
