The six-year veteran signal caller, who was a member of the Seahawks for two seasons, returns as a backup to quarterback Sam Darnold. Lock was a key component in the trade which brought quarterback Russell Wilson to Denver in 2022. Last season, Lock went 1-4 in five starts with the Giants. Lock, who spent his first three NFL seasons with the Broncos, has passed for 6,354 yards in 36 career NFL games (28 starts).

To be clear, Duggan specifically says it “would be a surprise if either side is interested in continuing the relationship.” That kind of trust-building does happen when your supposed QB2 is benched for Tommy Cutlets. Lock will be entering his age-29 season and is probably a low-end QB2 at best, but there are plenty of openings around the league. Backup-needy teams will probably look into Lock given his relatively young age and what his arm talent can show on his best days.

Locks’ day would have looked much worse if it wasn’t for a desperation throw to Malik Nabers in the fourth quarter that turned into a 45-yard touchdown. Lock ends the season with 1,071 passing yards, six touchdowns, and five interceptions while completing 59.1 percent of his passes. His season highlight came in Week 17 when he inexplicably threw for 309-4-0 in an upset win over the Colts, but most of what we saw from Lock this season was par for the course. Now set to hit free agency this offseason, Lock will undoubtedly get a chance to compete for a backup job in camp, but any hopes of him one day emerging as an NFL starter can officially be laid to rest.

It goes without saying the five touchdowns were a career high, while the 309 yards passing were tied for Lock’s third most. His 155.3 QB rating was easily a new personal best. All this against a Colts pass defense that had entered Week 17 playing surprisingly well. Lock’s two biggest plays were Malik Nabers 31- and 59-yard touchdown catch-and-runs that featured admittedly awful Indy tackling. He still did plenty on his on, routinely extending plays and passing for first downs after being flushed from the pocket. Lock took zero sacks and committed zero turnovers as he simply outplayed Joe Flacco. Lock gets one more audition to be someone else’s No. 2 next season when the Giants visit the likely-to-be-starter-resting Eagles in Week 18.