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Alex Tanney, Giants backup QB, retires after 9 seasons

Ryan Honey
giants alex tanney
(Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

New York Giants backup quarterback Alex Tanney calls it quits after nine seasons, which included parts of three with Big Blue.

Alex Tanney is calling it a career.

The Giants organization announced the news via its official Twitter account Tuesday afternoon. Tanney spent much of the last three seasons with New York after initially signing a contract with the team prior to the 2018 campaign.

Tanney was an emergency backup during his time on the active roster, sitting behind the likes of Eli Manning and Daniel Jones. The only time he ever entered a regular-season game with the Giants was in Week 15 of the 2019 season when Manning exited his final career appearance to a standing ovation at MetLife Stadium. Tanney completed his only pass attempt for just a single yard in that victory. It was his first regular-season action since appearing in one game for the Titans in 2015.

Tanney finishes his NFL career having completed 11 of 15 passes for 100 yards and a touchdown.

The journeyman backup, who additionally spent time with the Chiefs, Cowboys, Browns, Buccaneers, Bills, and Colts, was cut by the Giants in early September of this past season but then signed to their practice squad in early December. Tanney signed a reserve/future contract with the team in January prior to his decision to retire.

There’s a legitimate chance Tanney gets into the coaching side of the sport now that his playing days have concluded. He was essentially a mentor in the Giants quarterback room the last few seasons, having been a part of learning moments for both Jones and former Big Blue backup Kyle Lauletta.

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Ryan Honey
Ryan Honey

Ryan Honey is a staff writer and host of the Wide Right Podcast.