Jordan Raanan, ESPN Staff Writer
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — The New York Giants benched Daniel Jones and named Tommy DeVito their new starting quarterback.
Giants coach Brian Daboll announced Monday that the struggling Jones will be New York’s third-string quarterback next to DeVito and Drew Lock, who remain in backup roles.
Jones’ benching marks the beginning of the process for the last-place Giants (2-8) to move on from the quarterback they signed to a four-year, $160 million contract less than two years ago.
Daboll spoke with the quarterback Monday morning and informed him of his decision. Admittedly, it wasn’t an easy conversation, especially telling Jones that his season and career with the Giants was effectively over.
“I have a lot of respect for Daniel, I’ve said it before,” Daboll said. “Those conversations will remain private. Certainly, as a player, it’s not pleasant (to be benched) and I respect that.”
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DeVito will start Sunday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at MetLife Stadium.
“We evaluated a lot of things, we watched a lot of tape, we were around Tommy last year and he gave us a little bit of a spark, so that’s why we’re going with Tommy.” said Daboll.
The quarterback position change comes with seven games remaining in New York’s season. While the Giants’ record and Jones’ play were key factors in the move, owner and general manager Joe Schon also noted that his 2025 contract includes $23 million in injury guarantees should he be sidelined by an injury. It was also necessary to consider that the full amount would be guaranteed. Pass a physical exam during the off-season.
The Giants aren’t the first team to sit a quarterback to protect themselves from serious injury guarantees. Last year alone, the Denver Broncos acquired Russell Wilson ($37 million) and the Las Vegas Raiders accomplished the same thing by acquiring Jimmy Garoppolo ($11.25 million).
Daboll said after the Week 10 loss to the Carolina Panthers that the Giants would “evaluate” everything during the bye week, a stark contrast from the previous week when he committed to Jones immediately after the loss. At that point, the wheels began to turn for a quarterback change.
But there have been signs in recent weeks that the Giants are ultimately headed in this direction. They have openly sought a quarterback at the top of this year’s draft, and they also pulled Jones four weeks ago during a 28-3 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 7.
DeVito won three straight games last year as a surprise starter following injuries to Jones and Tyrod Taylor. He played in every game this season as the third quarterback behind Lock.
“Like I said, I think Tommy has grown since he’s been here,” Daboll said. “Again, trust me Drew, I felt it was the right thing to do with Tommy.”
Jones won the playoffs after the 2022 season and has struggled since signing in March 2023, with the Giants going 3-13 in 16 starts over the past two seasons. He has 10 touchdown passes and 13 interceptions, including two expensive picks deep in Carolina in New York’s 20-17 overtime loss to Germany. It is.
Jones, 27, has thrown two touchdown passes and four interceptions in his past five games. Daboll also became visibly dizzy after failing to connect with an open wide receiver on a free flicker against the Panthers. He ran down the sideline screaming, flapping his arms in disgust.
The Giants, who rank 32nd in the NFL in points per game with 15.6 points, are among the top picks in next year’s draft and will likely target quarterback.
Jones’ departure is just as much of an indictment on Daboll and Shane as it is on the quarterback. They made a surprising deal for Jones, who will have the best season of his career in 2022, and used the franchise tag on running back Saquon Barkley, who is currently playing for the rival Philadelphia Eagles.
Jones threw 15 touchdown passes in his 2022 career year and finished sixth in QBR with only six interceptions. He also had a near-perfect performance in the playoff victory over the Minnesota Vikings.
However, the Giants haven’t been able to get Jones back to that level of play due to injuries and a dysfunctional offensive line last season. Jones missed 2023 with a neck injury and torn ACL.
“It happens to everyone,” Daboll said. “It’s not Daniel’s problem. It’s my problem, and it’s the whole offensive performance problem.”
