Unless something crazy happens this summer or at training camp, Daniel Jones is no question going to be the Week 1 starter for the NY Giants. Haters can beg for Drew Lock or Tommy DeVito all they want, but if Danny Dimes is healthy, he'll be the guy leading the offense out onto the field.
Not long ago, we wouldn't have had confidence in this being the case, as the Giants were working overtime in trying to draft a stud early in the first round. That didn't happen and the Giants didn't reach for J.J. McCarthy, Michael Penix or Bo Nix, going with Malik Nabers at No. 6 overall instead. While speaking with Sports Illustrated's Patricia Traina, NFL insider Mike Garafolo said Jones should be grateful that turned out to be the case.
Daniel Jones has one last chance to prove he can be QB1 for the NY Giants
"They could have forced it and said we'll take the best of the three and they said no. There was a clear drop off in their mind after Drake Maye. We'll (Giants) take a weapon to help our current quarterback in place - he should be grateful for that. It should spur him to perform. "Mike Garafolo
Brian Daboll and Joe Schoen have shown faith in Jones this offseason, but we can't deny the fact that they were trying to move mountains to move up and take Drake Maye at No. 3 overall. They failed in trying to get that done, though, and Nabers is now in town turning heads for the G-Men.
Jones is expected to be fully cleared for training camp and the preseason, which will be huge for him heading into the 2024 campaign. As Garafolo noted in the video with Traina, Jones has to show the Giants something this season. If he doesn't, then he could be benched for Lock midseason and he'll surely be released next winter.
The signal-caller has said he's feeling strong these days, but things are going to have to reach another level for him later this summer. The pressure has never been higher for Jones, who signed a $160 million extension last offseason. He hasn't lived up to those dollars, but he can change the narrative surrounding his name once the regular season gets here.