In 1976, the Giants had just come off a horrible season under second-year coach Bill Arnsparger. The starting QB was Craig Morton whom the Giants had gotten in a trade with the Dallas Cowboys in 1974. Morton’s backup was Norm Snead, who was now 37 years old. Morton was 33. The Giants just drafted Jerry Golsteyn in the 12th round of the 1976 NFL draft.
In the off-season, Morton was traded to the Denver Broncos for QB Steve Ramsey and a fifth-round pick. Ramsey never played a down with the Giants. Snead was in his second stint with the Giants and retired.