In a division where every starting quarterback has an interesting story of ups and downs, how does NY Giants‘ Daniel Jones compare to his NFC East counterparts? If you had done this same exercise two seasons ago you would be comparing three of the same quarterbacks as are present now in the NFC East.
That statement would suggest the division’s quarterback situation has been reasonably stable over the past two seasons … right? Unfortunately, that couldn’t be further from the truth. In the past two seasons, an incredible 18 different players have started a game at quarterback for an NFC East team.
As a result of trades, which saw Carson Wentz both leave and then return to the NFC East in the past two years, as well as serious injuries to both Daniel Jones and Dak Prescott, all four teams in the division have seen their fair share of quarterback chaos.
So, with the starters finally settling in ahead of the 2022 season, how does now 24-year-old Daniel Jones compare to the other starting quarterbacks in the division? Let’s break it down.
4. Daniel Jones – NY Giants
It seems harsh to rank Jones as the worst starting quarterback in the division. Most of the recent issues with the NY Giants’ offense, and the franchise as a whole, have not been the former Duke signal-callers fault.
“We’ve done everything we can to screw this kid up,” said co-owner John Mara of now fourth-year Daniel Jones earlier this year.
It’s hard not to agree with Mara. This past season saw new Giants weapons Kenny Golladay and Kadarius Toney combine for 0 touchdowns, the Giants’ offensive line finish with a ranking of 30th in the league per PFF, and both offensive coordinator Jason Garrett and head coach Joe Judge lose their jobs.
The trend for Jones has been heading in the wrong direction since his impressive rookie season in New York. The past two seasons, albeit impacted by injury, have resulted in a combined 21 touchdowns through the air. This production is less than his 2019 total alone, with Jones throwing 24 touchdowns in his rookie season.
One of the more gifted athletes at the position in the division, there is still an argument to be made that he will succeed with some stability in the coaching staff and a healthy set of weapons. Unfortunately for Jones and the Giants, time is running out. On May 2nd the front office will need to make a decision on his fifth-year option.
With a big season in 2022, this ranking could appear inaccurate upon reflection. However, with the fourth year of his rookie contract coming in the first year of yet another rebuild in New York, he may be up against it to see success in his career as a Giant.