The NY Giants enter Year 4 of the Daniel Jones experiment and no one knows what’s going to happen in the future. Big Blue has already not picked up the fifth-year option for Jones. He’s in the last year of his rookie contract and will need to make a strong impression if he wants to stay in NY.
In 38 total games played across a three-year span, Jones has thrown for 45 touchdowns and 29 interceptions. He’s racked up 8,398 passing yards, while also completing 63 percent of his passes. His record as the New York Giants quarterback is 12-25. Entering his fourth pro season, his coaches and front office are looking for him to take that next step as a QB. Next, we’ll look at four things we must see Jones improve on in the preseason, with things getting started Thursday night vs. the New England Patriots.
4. Daniel Jones must take care of the football
Arguably the biggest flaw surrounding Jones is the amount of turnovers he’s had in his short span with the Giants. In his 38 games with Big Blue, he has 49 career turnovers. This is certainly alarming to anyone who’s invested in the team. That is why head coach Brian Daboll was brought in. He’s here to fix Jones and the NY Giants offense.
When you mention Daboll’s name, you can’t help but think about the time and success he had with the Buffalo Bills and helping star Josh Allen. The NY Giants and Buffalo Bills are two completely different franchises at this point in time. Buffalo has Super Bowl aspirations, while the Giants are just trying to keep a sinking ship afloat.
All the blame for the NY Giants struggles in the past three seasons can’t all be put on Jones, and Giants owner John Mara spoke on that.
"“We’ve done everything possible to screw this kid up since he’s been here… We certainly have not given up on Daniel Jones.” – Giants co-owner John Mara"
Jones is capable of having success in this league. His rookie year in 12 games played, he had 24 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. This was his best season by far as a pro. Daboll and the Giants staff need to try and emulate what Jones did that season. He had his most attempts, completions, passing yards, and touchdowns in 2019. There’s still some hope that he can make the transition and lead the Giants to a successful campaign.
3. Daniel Jones can’t lose his cool when things get tough
Nobody on the Giants roster has a bigger spotlight on them this season than Jones does. It seems like every bad pass and rep gets blown out of proportion. The media analyzes Jones too much, when half the time they don’t truly understand what they’re talking about. Jones is being given all the tools to have a successful season, and it’s now up to him to use them to help the team win.
Criticism comes from all different sources, including your own head coach. In an interview with WFAN sports radio, Daboll spoke about Jones and the situation the team is in.
"“I think the best thing we can do is come out here and practice different plays and figure out what we are, and that’s a work in progress with Daniel.” – NY Giants head coach Brian Daboll"
Earlier this week in practice, Jones had a few bad reps and Daboll did not hesitate to put backup QB Tyrod Taylor into the practice with the 1s. Taylor was only in for one play, but it proves that Daboll is not hesitant to give someone else a shot. Don’t be surprised to see that happen this season if Jones is truly struggling week after week. But, he’ll hope to silence that talk during the preseason.
2. Taking a step forward with the new NY Giants offense
Jones is going into yet another new style of offense in his short NFL career. In his rookie season, the offense was run by at the time head coach Pat Shurmur. He was fired after that season and then Jason Garrett was the offensive coordinator from 2020-21. Garrett was fired during the season by head coach Joe Judge, who then himself was fired at season’s end. Talk about a mess. Now, Jones is ready to learn from Daboll and new offensive coordinator Mike Kafka.
Despite his ups and downs throughout training camp, Jones is still optimistic that this will be the season that he and the offense flourish together.
"“I think going into year four, I’m a more experienced player,” Jones said this summer. “I think I’m a better player than in years past. So, I feel more comfortable from that standpoint and from what I’m seeing and making decisions. And as it relates to this offense and this scheme, it gives a quarterback a lot of options, and it allows for a quarterback to use what he knows and distribute the ball based on that. So, I’ve enjoyed working in this offense so far, and like I said, we’ve got a lot of work to do. But it’s been fun working with coach Daboll and his staff and working in this offense.”"
One can only hope that this is the year it all clicks for Jones. Giants fans know the struggle it’s been with him, and even before his rookie season in 2019. Nobody’s asking for a Super Bowl this season; just take the team in a step in the right direction.
1. Daniel Jones must continue to be a student of the game
Young players who want to have success need to be able to take criticism from coaches and veteran players. Transitioning to a pro level player, no matter what position, requires a lot of work and dedication. Having a veteran mentor or coach to learn the game from is always helpful.
Jones had the luxury of learning from an NY Giants great Eli Manning in his rookie season. Now in Year 4, he must continue to learn and grow with the resources around him. That is why the Giants brought in veteran QB Tyrod Taylor to be a mentor for Jones. Taylor is entering his 12th season as a pro and there’s a lot he can teach Jones to make him a better QB.
The Giants also brought in Kafka, a former Kansas City Chiefs QB coach, to be the new offensive coordinator. He could also be a great mentor and ally for Jones. Kafka spent 2018-21 working with the 2018 NFL MVP, Patrick Mahomes. Both Daboll and Kafka know what it’s like to be successful with their quarterbacks in recent history. Now, their job is to find a way to help Jones progress in his journey as QB.
Big Blue will travel to Foxborough for their preseason opener with the New England Patriots. Thursday night’s game will be a good base line of where the team is at. As always, Jones will have the spotlight on him. Will he show his progression with the new offense, or will Jones be back to his same old ways? We’re about to find out.