The New York Giants officially parted ways with Daniel Jones on Nov. 22, cutting the veteran quarterback just days after benching him for Tommy DeVito.
Jones is expected to clear waivers on Monday, meaning he’ll become a free agent who can choose where he signs. Which NFL teams make sense as a landing spot for Jones?
Which NFL Teams Could Sign Daniel Jones?
New York had already demoted Jones to QB3 heading into Week 12, placing him behind DeVito and Drew Lock.
While Jones’ performance was undoubtedly a factor in his benching, his contract was likely the driving force. Jones had $23 million guaranteed for injury in 2025. If he suffered an injury over the back half of the 2024 campaign and couldn’t pass a physical next spring, the Giants would’ve been on the hook for that money.
— New York Giants (@Giants) November 22, 2024
Because New York released him after the NFL trade deadline, Jones will hit the waiver wire. However, no rival club will take on the rest of Jones’ overpriced extension.
Instead, Jones will reach the open market once he passes through waivers. He’ll likely look for a team that can offer him playing time or a high-end backup role over the rest of the 2024 season before hoping to land a new contract in 2025.
Who could add Jones for the remainder of 2024?
Las Vegas Raiders
If there’s one team that might be ready to sign Jones and immediately drop him into their starting lineup, it’s the Las Vegas Raiders. Antonio Pierce’s club has vacillated between Gardner Minshew, Aidan O’Connell (now on IR), and Desmond Ridder this season with woeful results.
Jones would represent an upgrade over the Raiders’ incumbent quarterbacks, even if he wouldn’t suddenly change the shape of Las Vegas’ disappointing campaign.
NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported that the Raiders are fans of Jones and could emerge as an option.
“Las Vegas expects to be a team in the market for a bridge starter in the 2025 offseason, while simultaneously also looking for its QB of the future,” he wrote. “Jones could audition for his future role and maybe earn an even bigger one, while the Raiders get a look at a free agent-to-be.”
San Francisco 49ers
Brock Purdy is battling a shoulder injury that will sideline him for the San Francisco 49ers’ Week 12 matchup against the Green Bay Packers.
Niners head coach Kyle Shanahan left open the possibility that Purdy could miss more than one week, which could make San Francisco the most attractive option for Jones since he’d be able to play right away. Purdy will be re-evaluated on Monday and those findings could significantly impact Jones’ decision-making process, according to Rapoport.
San Francisco guaranteed Josh Dobbs $2.25 million this offseason but watched him get beaten out for QB2 duties by Brandon Allen. Jones would need to get up to speed on the Shanahan offense, but he could be an option for the Niners.
Miami Dolphins
The backup quarterback position has been a nightmare for the Miami Dolphins in 2024.
After Tua Tagovailoa went down with another concussion earlier this year, the Dolphins rolled through Skylar Thompson, Tyler Huntley, and Tim Boyle before their starting quarterback returned.
Tua’s health questions will likely force Miami to significantly invest in a backup quarterback heading into 2025. Could the Dolphins sign Jones to a two-year contract, or will Jones want to be on the market next spring?
Baltimore Ravens
The Baltimore Ravens were another team mentioned by Rapoport, who explained that Jones’ athleticism and speed could make him a perfect backup for Lamar Jackson.
Right now, the Ravens have 38-year-old Josh Johnson serving as Jackson’s backup, so Jones would be an upgrade over the journeyman quarterback.
If Jones is looking to join a contender and go on a deep playoff run, perhaps the Ravens will be near the top of his list.
Detroit Lions
Speaking of contenders, the Detroit Lions have been mentioned as a possible landing spot for Jones.
NFL insider Jordan Schultz mentioned that Detroit is among the teams expected to pursue Jones, who would get “a chance to join a contending team, but also to develop in an offensive system where he can learn and grow.”
PFN’s Playoff Predictor currently has the Lions as the favorite to win the Super Bowl, with 33.6% odds. Behind Jared Goff, Detroit’s current backup QB is Hendon Hooker, who has attempted just nine passes since entering the NFL as a third round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.
Minnesota Vikings
Sam Darnold was one of the feel-good stories of the first half of the 2024 NFL season, but he hasn’t been very consistent as of late. Schultz reported that the Vikings are also one of the teams expected to pursue Jones once he clears waivers.
With rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy out for the season, Minnesota only has Nick Mullens and Brett Rypien behind Darnold on the team’s depth chart.
The Vikings are currently 8-2, so they check the box of a playoff contender, and signing with Minnesota would allow Jones to learn from head coach Kevin O’Connell and potentially play if Darnold gets injured or struggles.