In a surprising move that resonates through the NFL community, the New York Giants have decided to bench starting quarterback Daniel Jones in favor of rookie Tommy DeVito. The decision comes on the heels of a lackluster performance by Jones against the Carolina Panthers, where he threw for 190 yards, recorded no touchdowns, two interceptions, and finished with a meager passer rating of 50.5.
Daniel Jones' journey with the Giants has been a roller coaster. Throughout his 68 regular-season starts, he has accumulated a career record of 24-44-1. Despite these mixed results, the Giants demonstrated their confidence in Jones by signing him to a $160 million contract, with $82 million guaranteed. Yet, his recent struggles bring into question whether this investment will pay off in the long term.
A Glimpse of Hope in the 2022 Season
Last year, Daniel Jones showcased why the Giants had faith in his abilities. He ended the 2022 regular season with an impressive 92.5 passer rating and an admirable touchdown-to-interception ratio of 15 to 5. Most notably, Jones led the league by achieving the lowest interception rate among qualifying quarterbacks at a mere 1.1%. His outstanding playoff performance against the Minnesota Vikings added further credibility to his capabilities, where he completed over 68% of his passes, amassed 301 yards, threw two touchdowns, and avoided any interceptions.
Financial Implications
The contractual commitment to Daniel Jones is a strategic focal point for the franchise. By parting ways with Jones, the Giants could potentially clear over $19 million in salary cap space, lending flexibility to their roster-building efforts. This scenario becomes increasingly pertinent if DeVito proves capable of managing the Giants' offensive responsibilities.
Draft Aspirations
Adding to the complexity of the situation is the Giants' apparent interest in the No. 3 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. This position could enable them to acquire one of several highly touted college quarterbacks poised to enter the NFL. Notable prospects include Cameron Ward from Miami, who boasts an impressive 6.4% big-time throw rate and a 67% completion rate. Colorado’s Sanders, with an adjusted completion rate of 81.9%, also emerges as a compelling target, showcasing a remarkable balance between big-time throws and minimizing turnover-worthy plays. Alabama's Jalen Milroe is another prospect who has seen notable improvement in his adjusted completion rates over the past three seasons. Meanwhile, Quinn Ewers from Texas has distinguished himself with appearances in the College Football Playoff, underscoring his potential to compete at the next level.
As the Giants navigate these challenging decisions, the spotlight shines brightly on Jones, DeVito, and perhaps a future, yet undecided quarterback savior to reinvigorate their ambitions. The upcoming season and its conclusion will likely provide further clarity on the direction this storied franchise intends to take. For now, fans observe closely as their team seeks to redefine its path with or without Daniel Jones behind center.