EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Emotions ran high for Daniel Jones on Thursday as he expressed his discontent with the New York Giants’ recent decision to bench him, a move that may mark the conclusion of his role as the team’s quarterback after more than five years. The 27-year-old voiced his commitment to the franchise, emphasizing that he has poured his heart into his role since being drafted sixth overall in 2019. He acknowledged being part of a team that has reached the playoffs just once during his starting tenure and accepted responsibility for the team’s struggles.
Jones stepped into the starting position early on in his rookie season, taking over for two-time Super Bowl MVP Eli Manning as the latter neared retirement. Recently, head coach Brian Daboll made the decision to bench Jones following the Giants’ 20-17 overtime defeat to the Carolina Panthers in Germany, which left the team with a disappointing 2-8 record. Consequently, Tommy DeVito will now lead the Giants in their upcoming game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, as Daboll hopes to ignite a spark within the team.
“Definitely not happy about it,” Jones stated, visibly emotional as he read a prepared statement before addressing the media. He acknowledged the disappointment involved, declaring, “Yeah, not what you want to hear.” Despite his frustration, he understands the nature of professional football demands results, which the Giants have been lacking.
Dressed in a no-contact red jersey displaying a faded No. 8, Jones revealed that the team had presented him an opportunity to walk away from the remainder of the season. Although he is contemplating this option, he is also eager to assist DeVito in preparing to step into the starting role this week.
The likelihood of Jones taking the field again appears slim, as he has two years remaining on his four-year, $160 million contract, which includes a $23 million injury guarantee that would activate should he be unable to prepare for the 2025 season. Following his benching, Jones has been receiving minimal practice snaps, which are primarily allocated to DeVito and backup Drew Lock.
“I got the injury guarantee,” Jones remarked while discussing his limited involvement. When asked if he would have been willing to waive this guarantee, he mentioned that general manager Joe Schoen and his agent, Brian Murphy, explored the topic, but that conversation did not go further.
During his nearly 11-minute talk, Jones became emotional upon hearing fellow teammates, receiver Darius Slayton and defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence, refer to him as the best quarterback on the team—both of whom were also drafted in 2019. He expressed his admiration for the Giants organization, valuing the relationships he has built and extending gratitude toward his teammates, coaches, and staff.
“There have been some great times,” Jones reflected, adding, “But of course, we all wish there had been more of those.” He fully accepted his part in the team’s inability to secure more victories, emphasizing his intense desire to win. “I gave everything I had on the field and in my preparation,” he shared.
When discussing the 2024 season, Jones called it disappointing but acknowledged the need for change. “The idea to change something happens, and I understand. I love the game,” he said. Jones concluded with optimism for the future, stating, “I’m excited for the next opportunity. I know that there’s a lot of good football in front of me.”