The Daniel Jones era in New York appears to be over.
The 2-8 New York Giants benched their franchise quarterback on Monday, according to multiple reports. The move came as New York began preparations for its Week 12 game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Let’s go over what the move means for Jones, the Giants, and other QBs on New York’s depth chart.
Why Are Giants Benching Daniel Jones?
There are two factors in play: performance and money. Let’s start with the first.
Jones, the No. 6 overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft, has rarely looked like a top-flight quarterback since arriving in New York.
The Duke product showed promise as a rookie with 26 total touchdowns and 12 interceptions but regressed over the next two seasons while battling injuries. Across 25 games in 2020 and 2021, Jones completed 63.3% of his passes while averaging 214.8 yards, 0.8 touchdowns, 0.7 interceptions, and 28.8 rushing yards per contest.
However, Jones took a major step forward in 2022 under first-year head coach Brian Daboll. He threw just 15 TDs but posted career-highs in completion percentage (67.2), passing yards (3,205), passer rating (92.5), rushing yards (708), and rushing TDs (7). He also threw a career-low five interceptions.
During the ensuing offseason, Jones was rewarded with a four-year, $160 million contract extension. Though undeniably an overpay, the deal also opened the door for the Giants to move on from Jones if he didn’t live up to the contract. More on that in a bit.
Last season, Jones struggled in six games (two TDs and six INTs) before suffering a torn ACL. During the offseason, the Giants signed backup quarterback Drew Lock in a move that placed added pressure on Jones to perform well early in the 2024 campaign.
While Jones had a few decent games in the first half of the season, he mostly looked like a backup-level QB. In the first 10 contests, he completed 63.3% of his passes for 2,070 yards and eight TDs while throwing seven interceptions and rushing for 265 yards and two scores.
Entering Week 12, Jones graded 31st in Pro Football Network’s QB+ metric with a D (64.7). That’s the fourth-worst season grade of his career, just ahead of his D- in 2021. Moreover, he’s not responsible for any of the top 50 single-game QB+ metric grades this season; Jones’ top grade (C+ in Week) ranks 90th.
Additonally, Jones ranks 30th in EPA (expected points added) per dropback and 31st in EPA per dropback when under pressure, per TruMedia.
Consequently, New York’s offense has been one of the worst in the NFL. Entering Week 12, the Giants graded 30th in PFN’s Offense+ metric with a D- (62.3).
With all that said, if it weren’t for the language in Jones’ contract, he likely would remain New York’s starting quarterback.
Jones’ extension contained $81 million guaranteed, all of which was paid in the first two years of the deal, including his $35.5 million salary for this season. The 27-year-old isn’t guaranteed any money over the next two seasons.
However, Jones’ contract also contains a $23 million injury guarantee for 2025. If he doesn’t pass a physical due to injury on a certain deadline (which currently isn’t known), he’ll be guaranteed $23 million. That said, we do know that Jones will be guaranteed $12 million if he passes a physical and is on the roster on March 16.
So, the Giants would be on the hook for $23 million if Jones were to suffer a catastrophic injury before the end of the season. As the Denver Broncos did with Russell Wilson in 2023, the Giants are benching Jones to ensure they can cut bait after this season with minimal financial implications.
Now, let’s look at who’ll replace Jones in Week 12 and beyond.
Why Is Tommy DeVito Getting QB Job Over Drew Lock?
New York will start second-year QB Tommy DeVito in this Sunday’s game against the Buccaneers, per multiple reports. DeVito will start over Lock, who was believed to be the top backup.
DeVito became a New York sensation while filling in for Jones last season. The undrafted rookie went 3-3 in six starts while completing 63.7% of his passes for 913 yards and seven TDs while throwing one interception and rushing for 166 yards. Late in the season, however, DeVito was benched for Tyrod Taylor.
Lock, who enjoyed impressive moments in previous stops with the Seattle Seahawks and Denver Broncos, was limited by an injury for much of his first training camp in New York. Lock and DeVito’s differing experience in Daboll’s offense partly contributed to the decision to start DeVito, according to NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport.
“One determining factor as the Giants plot a path moving forward: Drew Lock was injured for much of preseason, while coach Brian Daboll has seen Tommy DeVito have success in his system,” Rapoport wrote on the X platform. “That should inform the decision going forward, despite Lock being the backup.”
NFL Media’s Tom Pelissero added: “[DeVito] has a comfort level with Brian Daboll’s offense and a lot more reps in it than backup Drew Lock.”
One determining factor as the #Giants plot a path moving forward: Drew Lock was injured for much of preseason, while coach Brian Daboll has seen Tommy DeVito have success in his system. That should inform the decision going forward, despite Lock being the backup. https://t.co/BXK8sxiAEA
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) November 18, 2024
Obviously, DeVito will be on a short leash. Daboll, who faces questions about his own job security, will look to win as many games as possible over the rest of the season.
As for Jones, it’s hard to envision him ever taking another snap for the Giants.
Is Jones Done in New York?
Almost certainly.
The Giants aren’t going to make a move like this just to bring Jones back for another year. And it would likely take injuries to both DeVito and Lock for him to see another in-game snap this season.
The Giants would create $19.4 million in cap savings in 2025 while incurring a $22.2 million dead-cap charge if they cut Jones during the offseason. However, if he were to earn his $23 million injury guarantee, the dead-cap charge would balloon to $45.2 million.
Breaking news on @GMFB: The #Giants are benching QB Daniel Jones and all that it means. pic.twitter.com/krcto3F9Sm
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) November 18, 2024
Barring a stunning turn of events, Jones’ days with the Giants are all but over. He’ll be playing for another team in 2025.
The Giants, who currently own the fifth pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, will be in the market for a new quarterback next offseason.