When the New York Giants announced Daniel Jones would be demoted to third-string quarterback, fans were stunned, and the locker room was left reeling. The decision to hand the starting job to rookie Tommy DeVito, with Drew Lock as his backup, was reportedly made for financial reasons.
While Jones has struggled, it’s hard to ignore the optics: this move wasn’t about football, it was about money. And now, the fallout is undeniable.
In a season where the Giants are 2-8 and spiraling, the team’s leadership has compounded their woes by alienating key players. Defensive captain Dexter Lawrence didn’t mince words when discussing the demotion of Jones, his teammate and close friend since 2019. His public support of Jones, coupled with comments from other players expressing confusion and frustration, has laid bare the growing rift between the players and the organization’s leadership.
Joe Schoen and Brian Daboll have officially lost the New York Giants' locker room
The reaction from Giants players paints a damning picture of how general manager Joe Schoen and head coach Brian Daboll are handling the team. Lawrence called Jones “the best quarterback on the team,” a statement that’s as much an indictment of the decision-making process as it is a vote of confidence in his friend.
This wasn’t just a personal defense of Jones—it was a subtle shot at the coaches and front office. And it wasn’t the only one.
Sources: There is “disappointment” among some #Giants players regarding how the Daniel Jones situation was handled over the past week, especially with players aware it was primarily a financial decision by the organization.
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) November 20, 2024
Dexter Lawrence publicly stated on Tuesday: “He’s the… pic.twitter.com/BCZwrwYc5B
The report from Jordan Schultz revealed players are openly upset about the move.
One offensive player reportedly said, “We’re not idiots. They did it because of money.” That blunt assessment underscores what many around the league have suspected: the Giants’ decision-making is driven by short-term financial considerations rather than a coherent plan to win games or maintain locker room morale.
The disconnect between the front office and the players isn’t new. Tensions have been simmering for months, with players already frustrated by other personnel decisions, like the release of Nick McCloud, and a lack of transparency in key moments. But benching Jones, a player who has consistently taken the blame without complaint, appears to have been the tipping point.
Schoen and Daboll entered their tenure with high expectations, but the goodwill from their successful 2022 season has evaporated. What’s left is a fractured locker room and a team with no clear direction.
The Giants' players know what fans are beginning to accept: this regime isn’t working. With Schoen and Daboll losing the trust of their roster, the path forward for the organization seems obvious.
Leadership built on shaky decisions and alienating key players isn’t sustainable.
Dexter Lawrence and his teammates have spoken up. It’s time for ownership to listen. If Schoen and Daboll can’t regain the locker room - at this point, it seems they can’t - it’s time for the Giants to make a change.