At 2-8, the New York Giants are facing a challenging season, plagued by inconsistent play and struggles across the roster. Most of all, the Giants’ quarterback position has been a point of frustration, with Daniel Jones’s underwhelming performance limiting the offense’s potential.
Following the team’s loss to the Panthers in Munich and a bye week on the schedule, the Giants are expected to make a shift, turning to backup quarterback Drew Lock as their starter for the remainder of the season. For Lock, this could be a pivotal moment - a chance to prove himself and revive his NFL career.
In recent weeks, Jones’s struggles have become even more pronounced, as his costly turnovers and inability to move the ball have hindered any and all offensive momentum. Signed to a hefty contract, Jones was meant to be the franchise’s cornerstone, but now his injury clause (and the Giants’ disappointing record) have the front office reconsidering his role.
With the team out of playoff contention, the Giants could turn to Lock after the bye week, hoping a fresh face under center might spark some life into their offense.
...While also avoiding the payday Jones could receive if he gets hurt.
It looks like NY Giants' QB Drew Lock will get the starting job moving forward
Lock has been waiting for an opportunity like this since arriving in New York. Drafted by the Denver Broncos in 2019, he showed flashes of talent but struggled to maintain consistency, ultimately moving to Seattle in 2023 as a backup.
Now with the Giants, he could be the perfect solution to help the team finish the season while avoiding any risk of triggering Jones’s $23 million injury guarantee. That injury clause stipulates that if Jones suffers a major injury, the Giants would owe him a guaranteed sum in 2025, making it financially wise for the team to explore alternatives at quarterback for the remainder of this season.
With Daniel Jones’ contract having an injury clause and the season going so bad. The Giants are expected to turn to Drew Lock to start after the bye. #Giants100 pic.twitter.com/RPTaQKwLDR
— Adam Schelfer (@AdamSche1fer) November 12, 2024
Lock’s journey has been turbulent, to say the least. His time in Denver saw moments of brilliance, with a solid rookie season where he posted a 4-1 record as a starter. Yet, his performance was marred by accuracy issues and turnovers.
Across his career, he’s thrown for 5,289 yards, 28 touchdowns, and 23 interceptions, with a completion rate of just under 60%. His stint with the Seahawks allowed him to reset, but limited playing time meant he couldn’t fully showcase his development.
Now, as the potential starter for New York, Lock has an opportunity to rewrite his story. This is his chance to bring stability to a struggling offense, one that desperately needs a spark. While Jones has consistently been plagued by indecision and costly mistakes, Lock’s familiarity with stepping into challenging situations could serve him well here. Giants fans would no doubt welcome any sign of offensive consistency after a season of stalled drives and missed opportunities.
With a strong performance, Lock could keep the Giants competitive for the rest of the season and position himself as a potential bridge quarterback for the franchise.
As the Giants look toward the offseason, they’re likely weighing a rebuild, especially if Jones’s time in New York is truly coming to an end. Lock, still only 28, could seize this opportunity to showcase his value - either as a potential starter for New York or as an asset for another team down the line.
The upcoming weeks could very well be career-defining for Drew Lock.
He’s been given a rare second chance to prove he belongs in the NFL, and it’s up to him to make the most of it. If he can rise to the challenge and bring stability to the Giants' offense, Lock might just transform his career trajectory.