It is officially Jone-over in New York as the Giants released QB Daniel Jones Friday morning. The Giants issued a statement saying that Jones approached owner John Mara about being released and Mara granted Jones’ request. It is reported that both sides agreed mutually to part ways after six years together.
— New York Giants (@Giants) November 22, 2024
The decision comes as no surprise as the Giants have fallen to 2-8 on the year and recently decided to make a QB switch on Monday to second year player Tommy DeVito. It is said that Coach Brian Daboll decided to make the move to rally the troops as it was reported by Jordan Schultz that Daboll might be coaching for his job over the final stretch of games.
Coach Daboll: We are making a quarterback switch from Daniel Jones to Tommy DeVito. After evaluating and watching a lot of tape, that's the reason we are going with Tommy. Drew Lock will be the backup. This was a necessary move for us and I'm looking forward to working with Tommy… pic.twitter.com/OTPmSCIq0P
— New York Giants (@Giants) November 18, 2024
Sources: While ownership has suggested he’ll return, there is a growing sense that #Giants HC Brian Daboll is coaching for his job over the final seven games.
That’s part of why he chose Tommy DeVito over Drew Lock as the starting QB.
More info: The relationship between Daniel… pic.twitter.com/PDhcuAJOS8
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) November 18, 2024
Jones also made what seemed like a goodbye speech to the media on Thursday, alluding to the fact that his time in New York would be coming to an end very shortly. Jones was all class when regarding the Giants to the media, making sense why Mara wasn’t fighting Jones’ request to leave the team.
Daniel Jones issues an opening statement after his benching:
"The opportunity to play for the New York Giants was truly a dream come true" pic.twitter.com/CHDW0NsHZ7
— Giants Videos (@SNYGiants) November 21, 2024
Daboll addressed the media Friday morning and explained that he had a good talk with Jones before his release and had nothing but positive words for his ex-QB. Daboll also stated that he informed the team of the decision to release Jones before the media got a hold of it.
"Got a lot of respect for him. True pro and wish him all the best."
Brian Daboll on the Giants' release of Daniel Jones: pic.twitter.com/77nNbbEJRE
— Giants Videos (@SNYGiants) November 22, 2024
The media has yet to speak with players on Friday as of this article’s release, but on Wednesday when the press talked to the players about the Jones benching, the consistent vibe was that they feel for Jones and support him as everyone tries to move forward in the season. It seems like Dexter Lawerence has been taking the news harder than most as the two were close friends.
Dexter Lawrence was asked about how hard he took the news of Daniel Jones being benched:
"Definitely hard, but I've been a part of this business, just like last year when they traded away my best friend in the middle of the season. It's a part of the business." pic.twitter.com/GNYN3aGDyW
— Giants Videos (@SNYGiants) November 20, 2024
Bobby Okereke was asked how he reacts to a starting QB change:
"You rally around your teammates. Obviously a tough situation, we all get paid, we all take a lot of pride in this business. You move forward and we have a great opportunity this week." pic.twitter.com/JpHeY9hauI
— Giants Videos (@SNYGiants) November 20, 2024
"Obviously first he's a friend, so you don't want anyone to end up in the predicament that he's in. I'll support him and be there for him in any way, shape, or form."
Darius Slayton on Daniel Jones being benched: pic.twitter.com/h4Nyangant
— Giants Videos (@SNYGiants) November 20, 2024
While Jones’ six-year career in New York was nothing short of inconsistent and filled with injuries, Jones helped lead the Giants to their first Divisional and second Wildcard (2016) appearance since 2011 when they won the Super Bowl.
Since being drafted 6th overall in the 2019 draft Jones has recorded 69 starts in 70 games with a total of 14,582 passing yards, 70 passing touchdowns, 47 interceptions, 2,179 rushing yards, 15 rushing touchdowns and 50 fumbles.
What about Jones’ contract?
Less than two years ago the Giants signed Jones to a four-year $160 million contract extension, but what does that mean moving forward? Well Jones was already fully guaranteed for 2024, but in 2025 the Giants will have to eat up $22.2 million in bonus dead cap.
However, the Giants will get out of the remaining $78 million owed to Jones over the 2025-26 season and free up $19.4 million of cap for the 2025 season. With Jones not playing anymore the Giants will also avoid the potential of having to pay the $23 million guarantee if he were to get hurt and wouldn’t be able to pass a physical in March.
The dead cap money is the same as it would have been if the Giants waited to release Jones after the season, so essentially no harm no foul for setting Jones free now.
What is next for Jones?
Once Jones clears through waivers he will be free to sign with any team. While no team has expressed interest yet, NFL fans are making their noise that the QB should sign with the Cowboys since the franchise squares up against the Giants on Thanksgiving and are without starting QB Dak Prescott for the rest of the season (hamstring).
The #Cowboys have the opportunity to do the funniest thing ever when they play the #Giants next week:
Daniel Jones vs. Tommy DeVito on Thanksgiving
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) November 22, 2024
Potentially landing spots for Jones
- Raiders – Gardner Minshew is the current starting QB and has not looked good this season, but the team is sticking with him since QB2 Aiden O’Connel hasn’t looked any better. Signing Jones means they could have an experienced NFL QB ready to implement as soon as they claim him.
- Colts – Anthony Richardson is the current starting QB, but is extremely inconsistent and has some questionable behavior with the team, leaving NFL fans wondering if they will move on from their 2023 first overall pick. The QB2 for the Colts is the seasoned veteran Joe Flacco who is nearing the end of his NFL days. Signing Jones could be a good option to replace Flacco as QB2 and be competitive with Richardson for the starting spot next season.
- Panthers – Bryce Young is currently the starting QB, but has also been very inconsistent, to the point where they made a QB switch mid-year to backup Andy Dalton. The QB room currently is a two-way carousel between Dalton who is nearing the end of his career and Young who is running out of time to show he is NFL QB1 material. Bringing Jones in would be similar to the Colts situation where he could be a backup to Young and compete with him for the starting spot.
What’s next for Giants?
While the bye week has been filled with many distractions off the field for the G-Men, the franchise looks to turn its head to their big home stand on Sunday against the Tampa Bay Bucs. With QB Tommy DeVito getting the nod over Drew Lock it will be interesting to see if DeVito can be the spark that he was last year with the Giants.
As for the QB position long term, all signs are pointing to the Giants selecting one in the upcoming 2025 draft as the team currently sits with the third overall pick. However, it would be interesting to see if the Giants wait another year and rock with the DeVito-Lock combo if they don’t find what they are looking for in the draft.
Updated 2025 NFL Draft Order: pic.twitter.com/4yqGmduuyJ
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) November 22, 2024
Giants Remaining Schedule
11/24 – Giants vs Bucs – 1 pm
11/28 – Giants at Cowboys – 4:30 pm
12/8 – Giants vs Saints – 1 pm
12/15 – Giants vs Ravens – 1 pm
12/22 Giants at Falcons – 1 pm
12/29 – Giants vs Colts – TBD
1/5 – Giants at Eagles – TBD
