The New York Giants are facing significant challenges as Halloween approaches, signaling a likely end to their disappointing season, similar to their co-tenants at MetLife Stadium. With baseball still in action, the football community is declaring a premature end to the Giants and Jets’ seasons.
As the Giants continue to navigate their struggles, one pressing question remains: Who will lead the team as quarterback? Despite ongoing concerns, New York appears to be sticking with Daniel Jones for the time being. Reports indicate that Jones took all the first-team reps in practice ahead of their Week 8 “Monday Night Football” game against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Furthermore, he’s not expected to face immediate repercussions for his performance.
Head coach Brian Daboll defended Jones after he was benched in Week 7, stating that he gives the Giants the best chance to win. Daboll pointed out that the team’s challenges are not solely attributed to Jones, highlighting a broader set of issues affecting performance.
Fans of the Giants might be disheartened by the team’s record of 31-58-1 since Jones joined in 2019, which ranks as the second-worst in the league. Although the Giants have made two playoff appearances since winning Super Bowl 46, ongoing struggles with roster composition and coaching decisions leave the team a long way from its past successes.
The team’s quarterback depth chart includes options that may not inspire confidence. Drew Lock, a backup with experience from his time in the league, has not shown signs of being a long-term replacement for Jones. Meanwhile, third-string quarterback Tommy DeVito’s chances of starting are slim unless injuries escalate, despite a previous 3-3 record when thrust into action last season.
A critical factor complicating the Giants’ situation is Jones’ contract. He has a $23 million injury guarantee extending into 2025, which the team is likely keen to avoid activating. Moving Jones to the bench could be a strategy to protect the team’s salary cap beyond this season. If the Giants opt to release Jones in the offseason, they could face a dead cap of around $22.2 million.
Throughout his career, Jones has led the Giants to a 24-41-1 record over 66 starts, with a touchdown to interception ratio of 68 to 44. Drafted as the sixth overall pick, he has yet to live up to the expectations that come with such a selection. Additionally, Jones has been sacked 200 times since 2019, and injuries have hindered his ability to consistently play each season.