Giants backup quarterback Ryan Nassib is entering the biggest summer of his career.
Though he’s never seen meaningful game action, Nassib has just one year left on his rookie contract. And with a number of teams searching for a long-term answer at quarterback, it’s possible that Nassib, 26, could turn a solid preseason showing in 2016 into a chance to start for some other team in 2017.
“Just from watching [Nassib] and how he prepares, how he makes plays in practice, his football mind and ability, there’s no reason he can’t be a starter,” Giants starting quarterback Eli Manning told NJ.com this week.
Manning said he and Nassib have never discussed Nassib’s contract situation, so he wasn’t assuming that Nassib will leave the Giants after the season. But if Nassib wants to be an NFL starter, that chance probably isn’t coming with the Giants. Though Manning is 35, he’s signed through 2019 and hasn’t missed a start since taking over as the team’s starter in 2005.
“It’s something you can’t really think about,” Nassib said of potentially being a starter. “When the time comes, all I have to do is make sure I’m ready for it. It’s something if I take care of in the meeting room and on the field, all that stuff will work out.”
The Giants moved ahead of the Browns to draft Nassib in the fourth round in 2013. Manning said he has “relied” on Nassib in the meeting room and during the team’s weekly preparation over the last three seasons and that Nassib has done “everything” the Giants have asked him to do. This summer, Nassib will get a chance to use the preseason to help the team and himself.
“He’s very bright and throws the ball well,” Manning said. “I’ve been impressed with his progress.”
Nassib’s brother, Carl, was a third-round pick of the Browns last spring.
