The Daniel Jones experiment in East Rutherford is over.
In a statement from Giants President John Mara on Friday, Jones requested to be released from the team.
This request came after Jones was benched on Monday and dropped to QB4 in practice behind Tommy DeVito, Drew Lock and Tim Boyle.
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This marks the culmination of a long and winding road for Jones, the shocking No. 6 overall pick out of Duke in the 2019 NFL Draft. From his early struggles with turnovers to flashes of brilliance in 2022 — and ultimately to this season’s failures — the decision to move on was inevitable.
The Giants’ struggles this season, punctuated by a 2-8 record and five straight losses, demanded change. During his bye-week press conference, General Manager Joe Schoen said it was “a football decision” to bench Jones.
However, the financial implications of Jones’ contract undoubtedly played a role. If Jones suffered a significant injury, the Giants could be on the hook for $23 million due to an injury guarantee in his deal. Coupled with his on-field struggles, that risk forced the team to make the move that has decided their team’s future for years.
A Career of Highs and Lows
Jones’ career began with uncertainty, but also with optimism.
His rookie debut, a stunning 18-point comeback win over Tampa Bay in Week 3 of 2019, validated then-GM Dave Gettleman’s draft decision.
But as the seasons passed, Jones struggled to find consistency. His development was stunted by frequent coaching changes to a revolving door of offensive coordinators. Despite moments of promise, Jones never established himself as a long-term answer.
The 2022-23 season offered hope for the young QB. Under Brian Daboll’s leadership, Jones led the Giants to a surprising 9-7-1 record and their first playoff appearance in six years. His performance against the Vikings in the Wild Card round — a 300-yard, two-touchdown display — was the high point of his tenure.
It earned him a four-year, $160 million extension, but that deal quickly became an anchor as his performance plummeted in 2023.
Jones was 3-13 in his last 16 starts and struggled to elevate the Giants’ offense, which currently ranks last in scoring. His inability to stay healthy only compounded the issues, with a torn ACL ending his season in Week 9. As Schoen and Daboll looked for solutions, it became clear that “running Jones out there every week as their starter [wasn’t] working,” as one insider put it.
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Moving Forward with Tommy DeVito
The Giants’ decision to bypass Drew Lock and elevate DeVito to the starting role underscores their desire to explore all options.
DeVito, who earned three wins as an undrafted free agent last season, has flashed promise. “At the very least, the Giants know he’s not scared of the moment,” noted ESPN’s Jordan Raanan. Whether DeVito can revive the offense remains to be seen, but the Giants are betting on his potential.
The move also provides clarity on the team’s long-term plans. With Jones done, the Giants are likely to take a quarterback in the 2025 draft. Early projections suggest they could land as high as the second overall pick, putting them in a position to draft Miami’s Cam Ward or Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders— both seen as potential franchise quarterbacks.
With some of the poorest teams in the league having their franchise guy under center, the Giants are in an ideal position to get their pick of the litter.
A Locker Room Divided
Jones’ benching comes with mixed emotions inside the Giants’ locker room.
Despite his struggles, Jones has earned respect from his teammates for his work ethic and resilience. Tight end Daniel Bellinger recently said, “He’s our starter. He’s our leader, our captain. He’s the guy we need to be our quarterback.” That sentiment reflects many players’ admiration for Jones, even as the team struggles to win.
However, the Giants’ leadership recognized the need for change. The season’s trajectory left Daboll and Schoen with few options, and the decision to move on from Jones, while difficult, was necessary.
A Legacy of Missed Opportunities
Jones’ time with the Giants will be remembered for its “what ifs.”
While he displayed moments of brilliance, he was ultimately unable to overcome the instability around him or rise to the challenges of being a franchise quarterback. As Dan Duggan of The New York Times said, “The failures weren’t all Jones’ fault, but he also couldn’t overcome the circumstances around him.”
Now, the Giants face the challenge of finding their next leader under center. For Jones, this marks the end of a tumultuous chapter in his career— and the beginning of a new journey as he seeks to revitalize his future in the NFL.
Not all on Jones?
Jones was often the victim of a revolving door of head coaches, offensive coordinators, and subpar supporting casts.
He endured constant change, playing under three head coaches and four offensive coordinators during his six seasons. The Giants also fielded one of the league’s poorest offensive lines for much of his tenure, forcing Jones to operate under relentless pressure. Injuries to key playmakers, including Saquon Barkley in multiple seasons, further hindered his success.
Despite these obstacles, Jones could not elevate his game or carry the team when it mattered most. His lack of consistency — particularly in his decision-making and ball security — prevented him from masking the Giants’ deficiencies. While some quarterbacks thrive in chaos, Jones struggled to adapt, often looking hesitant and overly cautious in critical moments. His inability to break through adversity, coupled with playing under the scrutiny of the biggest market in the world would become defining features of his time in New York.
While the blame for the Giants’ struggles doesn’t rest solely on Jones, his tenure exemplified the importance of pairing a talented quarterback with a stable, competent infrastructure— something the Giants failed to provide.
Yet, for all the challenges he faced, Jones’ limitations made it clear he wasn’t the transformative player the team needed to overcome them.
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