When the final seconds ticked off the clock in Munich, Germany last Sunday, many assumed quarterback Daniel Jones had taken his last snap as a member of the New York Giants.
Jones has failed to live up to expectations after signing a four-year, $160 million deal in 2023 and with an injury guarantee hanging over their heads, it would make sense for the regime of general manager Joe Schoen and head coach Brian Daboll to sit him.
However, speaking with the media on Monday, Daboll appeared to leave the door open for Jones to return as their starter following the bye week. And that’s precisely what Dianna Russini of The Athletic reports may happen.
"In the conversations that I've had, Daniel Jones may be staying as the starting quarterback here for a few more weeks." @DMRussini on the latest she is hearing about the New York Giants quarterback positions.
WATCH: https://t.co/3QXBUBp36G pic.twitter.com/QmbCavzbuO
— Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz (@LeBatardShow) November 15, 2024
“At this point from what I’ve been hearing and the conversations I’ve had, Daniel Jones may be staying as the starting quarterback here for a few more weeks,” Russini said on the Dan Lebatard Show. “I’m not sure if this is completely done. We’re going to know more this weekend, though, when they come back from their bye and they meet with their quarterbacks.”
The Giants signed Drew Lock to serve as Jones’ backup during the offseason and they still have Tommy DeVito available on their bench. But with possible concerns about their job security, Russini believes Schoen and Daboll will lean into their own self-interest and return the ball to Jones for the time being.
“You’ve got Joe Schoen and Brian Daboll, despite the vote of confidence from their owner John Mara, it may appear that they’re safe, but we know how this goes,” she said. “Even if the owner says that if they go out there and lose in a really bad way and it’s ugly football it’s going to be really hard to bring those guys back there.
“In the mind of a Brian Daboll and a Joe Schoen, we don’t really know what Drew Lock’s about. I think Daniel Jones may still give them the best chance to win.”
Sending Jones back out there would be a risky gamble for Schoen and Daboll. If DJ were to remain healthy, win a few games and keep fans returning to their MetLife Stadium seats, co-owner John Mara may opt to keep the front office and coaching staff intact. However, that would also likely cost the Giants draft positioning and the chance for a top-tier rookie quarterback.
On the other side of the coin, if Jones were to get injured and couldn’t pass an offseason physical, the team would be on the hook for $23 million in 2025, effectively crippling them financially. There’s also risk if they sit him and neither Lock nor DeVito can keep the team competitive, likely leading to a complete clean-out and reset.
Decisions, decisions.
