On Monday, the Giants signed quarterback Jake Haener and linebacker Chandler Martin, a corresponding move that ended with running back Dante Miller waived/injured. Miller's groin injury, suffered in the Giants' 13-10 loss to the Minnesota Vikings, opened the roster spot. The Giants turned it into a quarterback with a starting resume and a linebacker who can help on special teams.
Haener isn't a camp arm. A fourth-round pick by the Saints in 2023, the 6-foot-1, 200-pound quarterback has appeared in eight NFL games and made one start, in Week 15 of the 2024 season. That start was real, with a real game plan and real pressure. The Giants' quarterback room now has a player who has taken live NFL snaps. He isn't just competing to hold a clipboard; he's competing to be the No. 2, and his experience gives him a genuine edge.
Martin's role is less flashy, but no less defined. Linebackers at the back end of the roster earn their keep on fourth down and in the kicking game. That's the lane Martin steps into, and the Giants need bodies there after Miller's departure.
The waiver of Miller is procedural. If no team claims him, he reverts to injured reserve and the Giants keep his rights. If he clears, he'll get a chance to return later in the year.
The consensus take is that Haener is just a depth piece. That's short-sighted. The Giants just added a backup who has started an NFL game and handled a full week of preparation. He is a real threat to move up the depth chart, especially if the starter's performance stalls. Watch how many first-team reps Haener gets in the next joint practice. If that number climbs, the quarterback room just became a competition.