by Josina Anderson
Nov. 12, 2024
The NY Giants have a big decision to make: continue to play franchise QB Daniel Jones, or bench him the rest of the season?
The considerations for benching Jones include: postseason hopes on life support with a 2-8; record the presence of a 2025 injury guarantee in Jones’ contract—triggered if he can’t pass a physical to start the 2025 new league year from injury in a game or at the practice facility; improved draft position by presumably decreasing their competitiveness the rest of the season.
That last part in particular sounds uneasy, because tanking always is—even when just theoretical.
But here’s why I believe the Giants should continue to play Jones, even if the 2025 injury guarantee certifies he gets $23M of his $30M due salary at minimum next season if triggered; and $12 of said $23M at minimum, even if Jones is on the roster.
Presuming Jones is still outplaying backup quarterback options Drew Locke and Tommy DeVito in practice,
(which admittedly is a big caveat)
JONES IS THE BEST OPTION AVAILABLE FOR THE GIANTS
First, Jones is currently the team’s quickest option to success, and that of head coach Brian Daboll and general manager Joe Schoen.
While owner John Mara publicly stated his confidence in both men to return next season, any wise person would always consider themselves under evaluation—especially after a tough 20-17 overtime loss to the Panthers to cap a current 5-game losing streak.
Moreover, any rookie quarterback potentially drafted will still take time to have a consistent and positive impact on the team. An immediate Jayden-Daniels or Andrew Luck-type impact is not always probable. The question whether or not both men will be afforded the time to wait for a new rookie’s development is still on the nose.
So Jones’ presence not only bolster’s the optics for Daboll and Schoen this season and their futures—I think they need him.
HE KNOWS THE GIANTS’ SYSTEM
Secondly, Jones currently has the best knowledge of Daboll’s system and his cost for that knowledge is still below top-tier rate for the position. Jones signed a 4-year, $160M dollar deal averaging $40M/ a year which is still well below Dak Prescott, Joe Burrow, Justin Herbert, Jalen Hurts and Lamar Jackson’s averages to start.
And thirdly, I never think it’s fair to the other 52 men on the active roster to throw up the white flag and surrender the season. Guys like Dexter Lawrence all the way to newcomer veteran edge Brian Burns, don’t deserve.
Longevity in the NFL isn’t promised to anybody in the league.
DANIEL JONES IS A COMPETITOR
Lastly, and maybe most importantly, I can tell that Jones genuinely cares about performing better. Though he currently has eight touchdowns to 7 interceptions on the season, he is fighting for extra yards when given the chance and he’s being competitive. In the increasing moments that I see his emotions overflowing now, I do believe many times they are understandable from protection around him over time and being the target of ire from the sideline to fans on the stands.
Personally, not sure Jones has had an air-it-out session with coach Daboll, but it seems —admittedly from the outside looking in—that another is due to release any potential tensions of each other’s chest. It looks like the proverbial air needs to be let out of the balloon. You can feel the pressure on both men each game.
While the departure of Saquon Barkley looks like it’ll rest in infamy for now, I do understand the decision to extend Jones at the time, especially after Daboll’s first season being coach of the year. It would be hard for any general manager not to put their stakes behind the player that touches the ball the most. Given current market options at the time, I can see how that felt like the best idea. I think the solution lies more quickly in diffusing the pressure assuaging and negative vibes and improving the vibe in the air—focusing on bringing Jones and the franchise together rather than splitting them apart.
Jones is still valuable in keeping, even if it ends in being a future backup.
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