Giants’ quarterback picture clears up with Alex Tanney option

There is no doubt about the identity of the starting quarterback, but even though the Giants have full confidence in Daniel Jones, he is not a one-man band. He needs a backup, and Alex Tanney remains in the running.

Tanney was under contract for 2020 and, not surprisingly, the Giants picked up his option for this season, The Post confirmed. Tanney will make $950,000 and count $1 million on the salary cap, if he makes the team. He signed a two-year deal worth $1.87 million prior to the 2019 season.

It will be interesting to see what new head coach Joe Judge, offensive coordinator Jason Garrett and quarterbacks coach Jerry Schuplinski think of Tanney, the 32-year-old journeyman. Keeping him around is a good start.

Tanney has kicked around the NFL since 2012, but has appeared in only two games: He threw 14 passes (completing 10) in his NFL debut for the Titans in 2015 and he mopped up after Eli Manning made an emotional farewell this past season against the Dolphins. Tanney completed his only pass, for 1 yard, to give number-crunchers the answer to the following question: What is a quarterback’s passer rating if he goes 1-for-1 for 1 yard? Answer: 79.2.

In the summer of 2018, Tanney beat out draft pick Davis Webb for a roster spot, as then-coach Pat Shurmur liked Tanney’s calm and mind for the game. Tanney dutifully served as the backup to Manning in 2018 and to Jones in 2019. He was signed as an undrafted free agent in 2012 by the Chiefs and drifted through the Cowboys, Browns, Buccaneers, Titans (twice), Bills, Colts and Giants, spending most of his time on practice squads. He is considered to be an asset in the meeting room, and no one will be surprised if he goes into coaching after his playing career is finished.

The Giants could go with three quarterbacks this season. In any case, they will bring in another quarterback to challenge Tanney for a spot on the team.

ESPN first reported the Giants exercising Tanney’s option.