The Daniel Jones era in New York appears to be coming to an abrupt end.
Just months after the New York Giants awarded their quarterback a hefty contract extension, the team has decided to move on from Jones, benching him in favor of a new starter for the remainder of the 2024 NFL season. The decision marks a dramatic shift for a franchise that had once viewed Jones as its long-term solution under center.
In a pivotal offseason decision, the Giants faced the challenge of whether to extend Jones or secure a deal with star running back Saquon Barkley. Ultimately, they opted for Jones, offering him a new contract and parting ways with Barkley, whose franchise tag standoff was not resolved. At the time, many believed Jones’ mobility and his flashes of potential in the 2022 season made him worthy of the investment. However, the 2024 campaign has not gone as planned, and the Giants’ struggles at quarterback have left many second-guessing the choice to commit to Jones for the long haul.
Jones’ first season after the contract extension was derailed by injury. The quarterback suffered a torn ACL, prematurely ending his 2023 campaign and putting his future with the team in doubt. Still, the Giants held out hope that he would return in 2024 ready to lead them back to the playoffs. Instead, after 11 weeks of inconsistent play, it became clear that Jones was not the answer, and his inability to elevate the offense led the team to take drastic action.
Following a devastating Week 10 loss to the Carolina Panthers, the Giants officially announced that Daniel Jones would no longer be their starting quarterback. In a move that surprised some, the team turned to Tommy DeVito, a former backup who had briefly filled in for Jones the previous season. DeVito’s promotion to starting quarterback is a testament to head coach Brian Daboll’s comfort with the young signal-caller, who has worked closely with the coaching staff and understands the system.
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DeVito, who will take over as the starter in Week 12 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, represents a fresh start for the Giants. Despite signing Drew Lock in the offseason, Daboll’s familiarity with DeVito’s skill set and his experience within the system were likely the deciding factors in the team’s choice to hand him the reins. DeVito now faces the daunting task of proving he can lead the Giants to more consistent performances in the second half of the season.
For Daniel Jones, this benching could signal the end of his tenure as the Giants’ franchise quarterback. With his contract including a $23 million injury guarantee, the team may opt to keep him sidelined for the remainder of the year to avoid triggering that clause. As the Giants look to build for the future, it’s unclear whether they’ll give Jones another shot in 2025 or move on completely.
The possibility of parting ways with Jones after the 2024 season is becoming increasingly likely. If the Giants were to release him, they would incur a $22 million dead cap hit as a result of cutting him loose before the end of his four-year, $160 million extension. While that may not be ideal from a financial perspective, it could provide the Giants with a fresh start and the flexibility to find a more reliable solution at quarterback.
The Giants’ struggles at quarterback have overshadowed other aspects of their team, including their defense and running game. However, with Jones now on the bench, the spotlight will shift to DeVito and the potential for a late-season resurgence. The Giants will be hoping that their new quarterback can bring stability to a position that has been plagued by inconsistency for years.
Looking ahead, the Giants’ future at quarterback is uncertain. DeVito’s performance will be closely scrutinized as the team evaluates its options moving forward. If he can show promise over the final weeks of the season, he may earn a chance to compete for the starting role in 2025. On the other hand, if DeVito struggles, the Giants will likely enter the 2025 offseason looking for a long-term solution, which could involve either a high draft pick or a splashy free agent signing.
While Daniel Jones may have played his final snap as the Giants’ starter, the team remains committed to improving the roster and finding the right pieces to compete in a crowded NFC East. The benching of Jones marks the latest chapter in what has been a turbulent era for the Giants at quarterback, but it also signals a new direction as the team looks for answers at the most important position on the field.
The Giants’ decision to move on from Jones also has broader implications for the NFL quarterback market. Teams that are struggling to find consistent play at the position will be watching closely, as Jones could find himself on the move in 2025 if the Giants choose to part ways with him. Whether he remains with the team in a backup role or is traded to another franchise will be one of the offseason’s key storylines.
As the 2024 season winds down, the Giants will need to assess their future at quarterback and beyond. While the benching of Daniel Jones is a significant step, it could ultimately provide the team with the clarity they need to chart a course forward. In the meantime, Tommy DeVito will have the opportunity to prove that he is the answer for a team in search of stability at the most crucial position in football. The Giants’ decision is a pivotal moment in their rebuild, and how they navigate the quarterback position over the next year will be crucial to their long-term success.