The New York Giants have officially made the decision to part ways with Daniel Jones as their starting quarterback after six challenging seasons. The team has decided to hand the reins over to Tommy DeVito as they gear up to face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers following their bye week.
Jones’ tenure with the Giants has been marked by significant ups and downs. Drafted as the sixth overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft, he faced early struggles, including a high rate of fumbles and difficulties adapting to a revolving door of coaches and offensive coordinators. After experiencing a career-best season in 2022 during a contract year, his performance this season regressed dramatically. With a record of 3-13 in 16 starts since signing a $160 million contract last March, and the Giants reeling with a 2-8 record this season, the decision to move on was deemed necessary.
The immediate catalyst for the change appears to be the team’s consistent losing streak, highlighted by a five-game slump. Coach Brian Daboll and general manager Joe Schoen recognized that continuing to field Jones as the starter was not yielding the desired results. Additionally, Jones’ contract contains an injury guarantee that raises concerns; if he were to suffer a significant injury, the Giants could owe him $23 million for the following season, pushing the urgency to prevent further risk.
Jones currently has two years left on his contract after 2024, with salaries that are non-guaranteed at this time. Observers believe that if he remains on the roster past a certain date in the offseason, a portion of his salary would become fully guaranteed, adding pressure for the Giants to right the ship quickly.
Tommy DeVito, who previously served as an undrafted backup, will step into the starting role, with hopes that he can ignite a struggling offense. While not much was expected from DeVito initially, he has experience from last season during a brief stint where he achieved three straight wins.
This quarterback change places heightened scrutiny on both Coach Daboll and GM Schoen, as they seek to demonstrate that it was Jones who was primarily at fault for the offensive struggles. With the Giants’ offense ranking at the bottom of the league this season, their future may well depend on the impact of this move.
In the locker room, sentiments regarding Jones remain mixed, illustrating the respect he earned from teammates despite his challenges. It will be interesting to see how the shift to DeVito influences team morale, especially among players who still back Jones as a leader.
Looking ahead, with Jones projected to departure after this season, the Giants are now likely to target a franchise quarterback in the upcoming 2025 draft. Early prospects include standout players like Cam Ward and Shedeur Sanders, both of whom could potentially revitalize the team’s future.
In summary, while the Giants are going through a challenging period, the decision to switch to DeVito may provide the spark necessary for revitalization. As they explore fresh options, the hope is that this change leads them towards rebuilding a stronger team capable of returning to competitiveness in the NFL.