One day after Ereck Flowers hired Drew Rosenhaus, it became clear Wednesday how much the disappointing Giants offensive lineman will need the super agent in the future — because the team opted not to pick up Flowers’ fifth-year option, making him a free agent after next season, a source confirmed.
The ninth pick in the 2015 draft, Flowers would have been owed $12.52 million in 2019, making this move an easy one. His salary-cap hit is $4.57 million this season. The Giants tried to trade Flowers prior to the recent NFL draft, but received few worthwhile offers, The Post had reported.
Flowers hasn’t exactly ingratiated himself to new Giants coach Pat Shurmur and general manager Dave Gettleman by skipping voluntary spring workouts. He can be fined or disciplined for not showing up for minicamp in mid-June.
The 24-year-old Flowers has started 47 of a possible 49 games at left tackle in his three seasons and has mostly struggled as the poster child for the weak unit. His problems protecting quarterback Eli Manning’s blindside led the Giants to sign free-agent left tackle Nate Solder to a four-year, $62 million deal in March.
With Solder now anchoring the group, Flowers will move over to right tackle, where he will compete for a starting spot.
Also Wednesday, the Giants added experience to their quarterback room by signing veteran Alex Tanney.
The 30-year-old signal caller, who spent last year on injured reserve with the Titans after breaking his left foot, has been in the league since 2012. He’s appeared in one NFL game, with the Titans, and also has spent time with the Cowboys, Browns, Bills, Colts, and Buccaneers.
The Giants also signed defensive tackle A.J. Francis, who was cut by the Redskins on Monday, and claimed veteran cornerback C.J. Goodwin off waivers from the Cardinals.