It is a heckuva story. A bombshell, really.
If only it were true.
No, the Giants did not — repeat, did not — entice Drew Lock to sign with them by telling him he would come in and compete with Daniel Jones for the starting quarterback job.
On Tuesday, Lock agreed to a one-year deal worth $5 million — all guaranteed — to fill the traditional role of a backup quarterback.
That is how the Giants presented this opportunity to Lock, according to a source familiar with the negotiations.
The ball got rolling on this “Lock is coming to compete for a starting job’’ canard when John Schneider, the Seahawks general manager, went on 710 Seattle Sports radio on Thursday and said the Giants “basically sold him on the opportunity to compete to be the starter.”
Lock played for the Seahawks last season.
Schneider went on to say Lock looks at this opportunity with the Giants similar to how Baker Mayfield in 2023 signed a one-year deal with the Buccaneers to compete for the starting job.
Mayfield received a one-year deal worth $4 million — plus $4.5 million in incentives — and beat out Kyle Trask for the No. 1 quarterback spot.
Mayfield guided the Bucs to a record of 9-8, good enough to win the NFC South and also thrashed the Eagles in a playoff game, earning Mayfield a three-year, $100 million contract.
Why did Schneider say Lock was coming to the Giants to compete for a starting job? Who knows?
The Seahawks wanted to re-sign Lock, who started two games in 2023. One was memorable, a “Monday Night Football’’ 20-17 comeback victory over the Eagles, with Lock directing a 92-yard fourth quarter drive, hitting rookie wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba for the game-deciding touchdown in the final 30 seconds.
Lock, 27, opted to not return to the Seahawks and moved onto the Giants, with the clear indication he was arriving as the backup to Jones, who is rehabbing from reconstructive knee surgery.
Schneider pivoted and on Thursday traded with the Commanders to acquire Sam Howell, who will either compete with Geno Smith for the starting job or serve as Smith’s backup.
Sure, Lock could get plenty of action with the first-team offense in the spring and summer, as Jones continues his recovery.
The Giants believe Jones will be ready to return in time for training camp and that he should be ready for the start of the season.
There is certainly a possibility the Giants take a quarterback high in the upcoming 2024 NFL Draft.
Even if that happens, Jones, if healthy, is expected to be the opening day starter.