The New York Giants’ decision to enter the 2024 season with Daniel Jones as their starting quarterback signals a pivotal crossroad in his career and the franchise’s direction.
The new season, which kicks off Sunday afternoon at MetLife Stadium against the Minnesota Vikings, should be Jones’ final opportunity to assert himself as the Giants’ long-term leader under center as the organization holds the option in his four-year, $160 million deal in the coming offseason.
Since being selected sixth overall in the 2019 NFL Draft, the Duke product’s performance has been less than inspiring. There have been flashes of potential — mainly in 2022 when he led the Giants to a playoff berth and Wild Card victory over the Vikings — but also marked by inconsistency, injury, and turnovers.
Jones has displayed the physical tools required for an NFL quarterback, including the mobility and arm strength that general manager Joe Schoen and head coach Brian Daboll could mold as a lesser version of Josh Allen. Still, his decision-making and ball security have been areas of concern.
In five seasons, he has 40 interceptions and fumbled 35 lost fumbles. Compare that with 62 passing touchdowns and 13 rushing scores, and the Giants’ offense is barely breaking even.
All the while, he has never played a full season due to injury issues, most recently missing 11 games last season due to a neck injury and torn ACL.
When he was on the field, the product was a shell of the dual threat from 2022, throwing just two touchdowns compared to six interceptions in his six games.
The supporting cast was — to put it in plain terms — shambolic. He was trying to perform behind the second-worst offensive line in NFL history, which allowed 85 sacks.
Schoen made strides to build a competent team around Jones during this offseason, even with the loss of Saquon Barkley, investing in offensive line improvements and acquiring targets to aid the passing game—most notably drafting Malik Nabers with the No. 6 pick in April.
“I feel like we’re in a good spot. I think we’re confident,” Jones said of the Giants offense. “We’ve had a good camp, we’re prepared and we’ve got to go out and execute on Sunday. I think it’s about taking the work that you’ve put in over these last, really since this spring, and translating that to the field.
“Understanding this game plan, getting on the same page and then executing on Sunday. I feel good, I think we’re confident and ready to go.”
For the Giants, moving forward with Jones despite exploring the quarterback market underscores some lingering beliefs in his potential. However, it also reflects the pragmatic approach of the front office’s quarterback evaluation process: Jones gets one more chance this season with an improved supporting cast. If he fumbles the opportunity once again, next offseason will be about finding the next franchise passer of the future.
