The Giants have pried open the door for Daniel Jones to be benched.
Head coach Brian Daboll’s weekly vote of confidence in Jones as the starting quarterback going forward the day after the game was replaced Monday with a more tepid response to the same old question.
“We’re going to spend a lot of time here watching tape and evaluating things,” Daboll said. “We’ll be doing that next week as a coaching staff.”
When coach Daboll pointed out that the response wasn’t as definitive as when he reaffirmed Jones as the starter on October 21st, October 29th, and November 4th, he decided to start the next game on November 24th. He mentioned the one week off for the away game. Buccaneers.
“What we do is evaluate teams during the bye week,” Daboll said.
Of course, this timing is behind making a quarterback change now, with either second-stringer Drew Lock or third-stringer Tommy DeVito given maximum preparation time to make the switch. It only further enhances the logic behind it.
Neither backup has received any known first-team reps in practice since the season began.
Benching the injury-prone Jones no longer means the Giants (2-8) want to release him, with a $23 million contract that kicks in if he fails a medical exam next March. It doesn’t just mean risking your personal injury warranty.
After having the best year of his career, including a playoff win, the Giants are 3-13 in 16 starts since Jones signed a four-year, $160 million contract extension.
He pulled off two devastating interceptions in the red zone during Sunday’s 20-17 overtime loss to the Panthers.
By comparison, the Giants are 5-6 since the start of 2023 in games started by DeVito and former backup Tyrod Taylor.
Jones has thrown nine or fewer touchdowns through 10 games in four of the past five seasons.
All other NFL quarterbacks who started the first 10 games of the season during that span had only two seasons with nine touchdowns or fewer.
After two seasons with offensive coordinator Mike Kafka, the Giants rank second-last in the NFL in points per game despite Daboll calling plays this season. (15.6).
Daboll declined to say whether Jones’ $47.8 million salary cap number (the second highest in the NFL in 2024, according to spotrac.com) would be a factor in the decision.
General manager Joe Schon is scheduled to address the media during the bye week.
“I’m going to make the decision that I think is best for the team,” Daboll said.
If the Giants were to poach Jones, the reasons to look at the 27-year-old lock start with his 23 career starts.
Avoiding a lock would mean wasting a one-year, $5 million contract and would send mixed messages to the locker room and future free agents about playing time opportunities.
The Giants clearly think Lock is a better player than DeVito, based on their pursuit of him in the offseason and their depth to date.
In order to protect Daboll’s employment, he will need to show that his offense can be more productive with a different quarterback.
“We’re all in this together and we’re all trying to get better,” Daboll said.
Giants fans who boo at home games will welcome the change.
The 26-year-old DeVito’s case will begin with determining whether the second-year pro is a viable option to further develop and re-sign as a future starter or cost-effective No. 2.
A welcome side effect is that DeVito, a New Jersey native whose high-octane play, gunslinger style and Italian heritage made him an undrafted viral sensation, remains incredibly popular with the fan base. That’s probably true.
Giants owner John Mara was made aware of past decisions to bench QB Eli Manning in 2017 and 2019. He and Jones reportedly spoke directly at key points during Jones extension negotiations in 2022.
So should Mara approve benching Jones?
“Joe and I are in daily contact with the ownership group,” Daboll said. “It’s not just quarterback, it’s every position. We’re going to do business as usual. If there’s a change (in the lineup), we’ll definitely communicate, regardless of the position. That’s something that’s very important and healthy for the organization. I think so.”
Jones’ struggles have become a human shield of sorts for Daboll and Shane, among many of the team’s other flaws, including defensive rushing, lack of takeaways, special teams mistakes, draft disappointments, and salary cap pressure. I’ve been hiding my part.
“Myself, Joe, the owners, the players, none of us are happy with the result or the way things are,” Daboll said.
