The New York Giants are fresh off their bye week, and if the rumors about Daniel Jones retaining his starting quarterback role are true, the misery in East Rutherford might just continue. For a team sitting at 2-8, this decision feels more like a Hail Mary to preserve the jobs of head coach Brian Daboll and general manager Joe Schoen than a real attempt to turn things around.
Look, Daniel Jones isn’t the sole reason this team is floundering. The offensive line is a mess, injuries have plagued key positions, and the defense hasn’t exactly been lights out. But Jones’ play has been consistently underwhelming, with missed throws, poor decisions, and a knack for holding onto the ball too long. Even his staunchest defenders have to admit that any spark he provided earlier in his career is long gone.
The problem isn’t just Jones’ play, it’s the $23 million injury guarantee attached to his contract. If he gets hurt, the Giants are stuck paying him next year whether they want to or not. For a team in desperate need of flexibility to rebuild, that’s a worst-case scenario. And yet, reports suggest the Giants may still stick with him, under the pretense that he “gives them the best chance to win.”
A short-sighted gamble for the NY Giants
From a certain angle, the logic makes sense. Daboll and Schoen are feeling the heat despite John Mara’s public vote of confidence. They know ugly, uncompetitive football over the next few weeks could cost them their jobs. Starting Jones might feel like the safer option compared to rolling with unproven backups like Drew Lock or Tommy DeVito.
But the truth is, there’s no real upside to sticking with Jones. Even if he stays healthy and somehow leads the Giants to a couple of meaningless wins, it won’t change the trajectory of this season. The team isn’t making the playoffs. Every snap Jones takes is a wasted opportunity to evaluate what they have in their younger quarterbacks, or to prepare for a future without him.
"In the conversations that I've had, Daniel Jones may be staying as the starting quarterback here for a few more weeks." @DMRussini on the latest she is hearing about the New York Giants quarterback positions.
— Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz (@LeBatardShow) November 15, 2024
WATCH: https://t.co/3QXBUBp36G pic.twitter.com/QmbCavzbuO
It’s time for the Giants to embrace the reality of their situation. Jones’ ceiling is clear, and it’s not high enough to justify this continued experiment. If Daboll and Schoen truly want to prove they’re the right leaders for this team, they need to think beyond short-term survival. Otherwise, this plan isn’t just misguided - it’s malpractice.