Daniel Jones is officially parting ways with the New York Giants after six years with the team. The Giants have granted his request to be released, as announced on Friday. Team owner John Mara expressed his respect for Jones, acknowledging the quarterback’s professionalism throughout his time in New York. Despite the disappointing end to his tenure, Mara wished Jones all the best for his future, emphasizing the mutual decision to part ways as the best option for both parties.
Jones’ departure comes after a series of struggles on the field. The former first-round pick had a disappointing 2024 season, which saw his performance decline significantly. After a benching earlier in the week by head coach Brian Daboll, Jones was demoted to QB4, behind newcomer Tim Boyle. The Giants’ offense, ranked last in the league, failed to find any consistent rhythm, and Jones’ play, including multiple interceptions in a loss to the Panthers, led to his eventual demotion.
The financial aspect also played a role in the decision. While Jones’ 2023 and 2024 salaries were fully guaranteed, his $23 million salary for 2025 was only guaranteed in the case of injury. The Giants needed to release him now to avoid the potential financial risk of an injury before the end of the season. This financial consideration made his release a logical step, both for the team and for Jones, who now has the chance to explore other opportunities in the NFL.
Jones’ time with the Giants began on a rocky note but had its highlights, especially under Daboll’s leadership in 2022. In his first season with Daboll, Jones helped guide the team to the playoffs and even secured a surprise postseason win over the Minnesota Vikings. This success led the Giants to offer Jones a four-year, $160 million contract extension. However, his performance in the following seasons failed to live up to expectations, making the extension seem like a mistake as the team struggled to replicate their previous success.
Now, with Jones’ release official, he will be subject to waivers. However, it’s unlikely that another team will claim him due to the $11.8 million still guaranteed for 2024. His release allows him to leave behind the intense media scrutiny of New York and take time to reset his career. Meanwhile, Coach Daboll, who is under pressure as the Giants’ head coach with a 2-8 record, will move forward with rookie Tommy DeVito as the starter for the remainder of the season.
