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INDIANAPOLIS — Eli Manning paid off any debts to Davis Webb for all the hours of extra film study that the rookie quarterback did for the Giants in 2017.

Webb is making the rare jump from active player — he was the Giants’ third-string quarterback last season — directly to position coach as he was hired last week to coach quarterbacks on new head coach Sean Payton’s inaugural Broncos staff.

Most former players transition into quality control or assistant position coach jobs, like former Giants backup quarterback Alex Tanney, who last played behind Daniel Jones in 2020 and Tuesday was named Eagles quarterbacks coach.

Payton and Webb did not previously know each other, but Payton knows Manning given both of their ties to the Giants (Payton was an offensive coordinator before Manning arrived in 2004) and to New Orleans (Manning is a native of the city where Payton coached the Saints for 15 seasons).

“He came highly recommended from a bunch of different coaches, Brian Daboll and Eli Manning,” Payton said Tuesday morning at the NFL combine. “I kept hearing the same things about him, so we brought him in. He did a really good job.”


  Davis Webb is making the rare transition from player to positional coach. Noah K. Murray-NY Post Davis Webb is making the rare transition from player to positional coach. Noah K. Murray-NY Post

Once considered an heir apparent to Manning, Webb was known for being the first one in the building and last one out to help the veteran Manning prepare for games as a third-round pick in 2017.

Webb’s career was turned upside down by the Giants’ firings of general manager Jerry Reese and head coach Ben McAdoo and his subsequent release in 2018, but he returned for a second stint when he followed general manager Joe Schoen and Daboll from the Bills.

“He was unique in that he would be upstairs hanging with the personnel department,” Schoen said of first meeting Webb as a practice-squad quarterback in 2019. “He was already coaching at the time, basically.


  Webb helped Eli Manning prepare for games as the third-string QB, and Manning seems to have returned the favor. Getty Images Webb helped Eli Manning prepare for games as the third-string QB, and Manning seems to have returned the favor. Getty Images

“He would take the practice-squad guys and show them the film. He would play safety [in practice] to give looks for Josh [Allen]. Super smart. He’s going to be a hell of a coach.”

Webb actually turned down an offer to be Bills quarterbacks coach last season to scratch the itch of playing meaningful NFL snaps.

The delayed start to his coaching career worked out because he made his first and only career start and accounted for two touchdowns (one rushing, one passing) in the regular-season finale.


  Webb will take a position on Sean Payton’s first Broncos staff. Getty Images Webb will take a position on Sean Payton’s first Broncos staff. Getty Images

“Davis is a coach’s kid,” said Payton, referencing Webb’s father’s success as a high school football coach in Texas. “He had a file on his computer of every game plan he’s ever had since he was in high school — in college at Texas Tech, and then [after Patrick] Mahomes comes in and he transfers [to California].

“It was pretty impressive going through the process. The fit for us, specifically with that room, will be good.”

Payton, offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi and Webb all face the big task of trying to right Russell Wilson after his career-worst season debuting with the Broncos, where he reportedly ruffled some feathers by keeping his own office separate from teammates.


  Alex Tanney joined the Eagles staff on Tuesday. Robert Sabo for the NY Post Alex Tanney joined the Eagles staff on Tuesday. Robert Sabo for the NY Post

Tanney steps into a smoother situation, with MVP runner-up Jalen Hurts after two seasons in a lesser role with the Eagles.

“When we brought Alex in, almost everybody on our staff had coached him. He’s been everywhere,” Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni said. “I know eventually he wants to call plays and be a head coach, but I know what he’s going to do this year.

“Exactly what he did the last two years: Kill his role.”

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