New York Giants QB Tyrod Taylor getting more first-team reps in practice a hint to replacing Daniel Jones this fall?

Last winter, the New York Giants were linked in rumors with veteran quarterback Mitchell Trubisky due to his relationships with general manager Joe Schoen and head coach Brian Daboll stemming from when all three were attached to the Buffalo Bills. Trubisky ultimately signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers, and the Giants later turned to journeyman Tyrod Taylor to serve as the backup behind 2019 first-round draft pick Daniel Jones. 

Taylor said in March he was "looking forward to working alongside [Jones] and looking forward to us pushing each other," but some were quick to point out even then that Jones wasn't necessarily cemented atop the depth chart. The 25-year-old, who has routinely struggled with injuries and turnovers as a pro, accumulated 29 interceptions and 20 lost fumbles over the past three seasons and, perhaps more importantly, has never played under Daboll in a meaningful game. 

The Giants declined Jones' fifth-year option this spring. 

Daboll has now raised eyebrows coming off New York's preseason-opening 23-21 win at the New England Patriots by confirming that Taylor will receive first-team reps during exhibition matchups this month. The Giants host the Cincinnati Bengals this coming Sunday. 

"We'll talk about whatever we think is best," Daboll explained on Tuesday, per Jeff Kerr of CBS Sports. "But I have full confidence in Daniel (Jones) and full confidence in Tyrod (Taylor) and what his role is. Each day we sit here and evaluate the guys, but will he (Taylor) get a few reps here or there? He might." 

Daboll added that Jones won't be competing for his job at any point over the next couple of weeks. 

"I learned from a pretty good coach a while ago, usually he doesn't tell those guys when he throws them in because that's what the backup's job is: you have to go in in a split second," Daboll explained about his thinking. 

Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio isn't buying all that Daboll was selling. 

"Jones desperately needs every rep he can get with the starting offense, in order to be ready for the regular season with a new coach and a new offense," Florio wrote. "Every rep that goes to Taylor becomes one less rep that goes to Jones. It helps Taylor get ready to play with the starters, while keeping Jones from being as ready as he can be.

"Yes, it’s significant. Yes, it’s a reflection on Jones. Yes, it implies that Jones may not have much of a chance to get things done before he may be done as the quarterback of the Giants."

Last week, ESPN's Dan Graziano predicted that Schoen and Daboll will likely look to find Jones' long-term replacement in next year's draft. If they already believe "Danny Dimes" isn't the team's answer at the position, though, they may want to see Taylor in action this fall.