Daniel Jones, with tears in his eyes at times, expressed his disagreement on Thursday with the New York Giants’ decision to bench him earlier in the week, which might end his more than five-year tenure as the team’s quarterback.
The 27-year-old Jones, who was drafted sixth overall in 2019, said he gave the team everything he had. He believes he still has a future in the NFL and took responsibility for the Giants’ single playoff appearance during his time as their starter.
Jones became the starting quarterback early in his rookie season when coach Pat Shurmur benched two-time Super Bowl MVP Eli Manning, who was nearing the end of his career.
Coach Brian Daboll made the decision to bench Jones on Monday after the Giants (2-8) returned to practice following their bye week and a 20-17 overtime loss to Carolina in Germany.
Tommy DeVito will start for the Giants against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday, with Daboll hoping he can spark the team.
“Definitely not happy about it,” said Jones, who read a 90-second statement before answering questions from reporters. “Yeah, not what you want to hear. So, yeah, all those emotions you have. But at the end of the day, this is football. We’re in a business where you’re expected to get results and we weren’t doing it.”
Jones, wearing a no-contact red jersey with a faded No. 8, said the Giants gave him the option to walk away from the team with seven games left in the season.
He said he is considering it, but also wants to stay and help DeVito prepare for the upcoming game. However, it seems unlikely that the Giants will let him play again. Jones still has two years left on his four-year, $160 million contract, and next season includes a $23 million guarantee that will activate if he gets injured and is not able to start the 2025 season.
Since being benched, Jones has barely gotten any playing time, with most of the snaps going to DeVito and backup Drew Lock.
“I got the injury guarantee,” Jones said, explaining his lack of playing time.
When asked if he would have waived the guarantee, Jones said that general manager Joe Schoen and his agent, Brian Murphy, had discussed it, but that was all.
Jones spoke for almost 11 minutes and became emotional when told that teammates Darius Slayton and Dexter Lawrence both called him the best quarterback on the team. All three were drafted in 2019.
Jones praised the Giants as a first-class organization, expressing how much he values his relationships with teammates, coaches, and staff. He thanked them for their support throughout his time with the team.
“There have been some great times. But of course, we all wish there had been more of those,” Jones said. “I take full responsibility for my part in not bringing more wins. No one wanted to win more games worse than me. I gave everything I had on the field and in my preparation.”
Jones called the 2024 season disappointing and acknowledged his role in the team’s struggles.
“The idea to change something happens, and I understand. I love the game,” Jones said. “I love being part of a team. I’m excited for the next opportunity. I know that there’s a lot of good football in front of me.”
