Will NY Giants quarterback Daniel Jones be able to save his Big Blue career? The former No. 6 overall pick followed a stellar 2022 with a nightmare 2023. With him landing his four-year, $160 million extension, he simply did not live up to things last fall.
While the Giants tried to draft a long-term replacement for him this spring, Joe Schoen wasn't able to get things done. Although some people are hopeful that Drew Lock will win the starting job at camp, it's not going to happen - that's right, it's Jones' team for 2024.
However, will the same be said for 2025? At this point, all signs are pointing to the Giants releasing him next winter, but Danny Dimes is hoping to have a say in things. He now has an improved offensive line and Malik Nabers to work with. Straight up, there are no more excuses for him. However, Jones is also going to have to stay healthy.
This has been a problem for him ever since his rookie campaign. Jones, other than 2022, hasn't been able to stay on the field for a full season. History can't repeat itself in '24, otherwise the G-Men indeed will be ready to move on. Jones is no stranger to overcoming injury adversity, but enough is enough. We need to see him at 100 percent this season. Let's hope that will be the case.
Daniel Jones' early career and initial injuries
There was plenty to like about Jones' rookie season. Back in 2019, not long after being taken No. 6 overall by former GM Dave Gettleman, he tossed for 3,027 yards and 24 touchdowns, while adding two more scores on the ground. He appeared in 13 games, with 12 starts. A high-ankle sprain against the Panthers cost him two games.
The following season in 2020, Jones played in 14 games, throwing for 2,943 yards, but only for 11 TDs. A hamstring injury forced him to miss one game, while another ankle issue caused him to miss another.
Daniel Jones major injuries and recovery phases
Major neck injury in 2021 for Daniel Jones
Unfortunately, the 2021 campaign was when Jones first started facing major adversity for the Giants. That fall and winter, he was limited to 11 starts, suffering a serious neck injury in the Week 12 win over the Philadelphia Eagles. Jones was sidelined for the rest of the season. Both Gettleman and Joe Judge would not return to the team in 2022 - Schoen and Brian Daboll made their way to East Rutherford.
Jones got himself back to full health in '22, powering the G-Men to their first trip to the postseason since 2016. The QB looked fantastic in the Wild Card Round win over the Vikings, throwing for more than 300 yards and two touchdowns. The loss to Philly in the Divisional Round, well, best if we don't talk about that.
Another neck injury in 2023 for Daniel Jones
In an October loss to the Dolphins last campaign, Jones was LEVELED on a play and his neck whipped in a way it's not supposed to. He suffered another neck injury and was forced to miss a little under a month of action. You can fully blame the NY offensive line for that one. Luckily, it wasn't a season-ending injury, but Jones' return to the gridiron didn't last long.
Daniel Jones suffered a torn ACL in 2023
Jones was able to return to take on the Raiders in Las Vegas in November, but things didn't last long for him. Jones suffered a torn ACL in that loss, ending his campaign after only six games played. Jones finished the year with two touchdown passes and six interceptions. So, yeah, not what Schoen had in mind for '23 after giving him his $160 million deal.
Recurring issues and long-term impact for Daniel Jones
Jones has been quite unlucky with his health, but the main beef fans have with him is that when he was in action in '23, he looked terrible. The neck injuries have been a problem for him, while the torn ACL was devastating to see. Jones is expected to be cleared for camp and lead the offense for the Week 1 battle vs. the Vikings.
The pressure is going to be on for him. If he doesn't perform, Daboll could send him to the bench in favor of Lock. If that happens, then it will be guaranteed that he'll be looking for a new place to call home in 2025.