For the ninth time in the last eleven years, the sentiment is the same regarding the New York Giants regular season: let’s just end it already and get to the draft.

That’s what a 5-9 record that includes a deflating loss to the New Orleans Saints that all but ended any sliver of hope that the Giants might make a late-season run. And although the Giants, believe it or not, are still mathematically alive for a postseason berth, the reality is that it’s time to start thinking about next year, even though three games remain on the schedule.

In this series, we will look at different glaring franchise-shaping questions facing the Giants over the off-season and determine what makes the most sense. Check back regularly for a new topic.

Question No. 1: What’s the Future at Quarterback?

It’s rather interesting that head coach

However, if we’re looking at his most recent body of work in this current system, it wouldn’t be a stretch to say that Jones took a step back in his comfort level and his ability to make the plays that he made last year and question if he can ever take the next step forward in this offense.

when asked about injured starter Daniel Jones, immediately shut the door on any potential controversy as to whether Jones, who regressed in his limited snaps this year, would be the starter next year once healthy. (And yet Daqboll, when asked if tackle Evan Neal would return to the starting lineup once he was healthy enough from an ankle injury, wouldn’t answer the question.)

The truth is that the Giants have some serious decisions to make about the quarterback position. Jones’s recovery timeline could have him back as soon as next year’s training camp or the start of the season. And if it’s the latter where he has to miss training camp only to return for the start of the season, does it make sense to play him for a full game, especially if the game plan involves RPOs?

These are all answers to be determined, but let’s back up and look at what we believe is likely to happen.

Who’s No. 2?

It seems obvious that the team will move on from Tyrod Taylor, who had been the No. 2 quarterback and who will be an unrestricted free agent this year. Taylor was “Wally Pipped” by Tommy DeVito, whom Daboll said will get the start on Christmas Day against the Eagles.

Beyond that, it likely makes no sense to start Taylor again, as the Giants are locked into seeing what they have in DeVito to determine if he can be the No. 2 guy moving forward.

Even if DeVito stays healthy and performs decently, that doesn’t make him a lock for the No. 2 quarterback spot.

If the Giants finish in the top 10- currently seventh per Tankathon- and get within striking distance of landing a franchise quarterback, it would be hard to envision Schoen and Daboll passing on that opportunity to get a guy that better fits what they want.

Let’s say the Giants do add a quarterback in the first round. They could have that kid sit behind Jones (assuming Jones is healthy enough to start the season) much like the Chiefs did years ago with Patrick Mahomes sitting for a year behind Alex Smith.

That might be the prudent way to go, especially as this team still needs its offensive line to be fixed again.

Where would that leave DeVito? He could still be the No. 2 to start, but remember that the Giants have never carried three quarterbacks on the active roster under Daboll. If they draft a quarterback on Day 1 or Day 2, there’s little chance that quarterback goes to the practice squad, which means that DeVito could end up being the odd man out.

And if that’s the case, could the Giants try to swing a trade, similar to what the Patriots did years ago when they sent Jimmy Garoppolo to the 49ers, if DeVito keeps progressing?

What About No. 1?

Daboll has never been about playing one guy over another due to contracts or draft status, and although it might look like that’s what he’d be doing if he started Daniel Jones next year, the truth might be a little different.