In a surprising turn of events, the New York Giants have decided to bench quarterback Daniel Jones in favor of Tommy DeVito. This move comes amidst the Giants' pursuit of a more stable and effective offensive performance, highlighted by Jones' recent struggles on the field.
Jones' performance against the Carolina Panthers was particularly underwhelming, where he managed 190 passing yards without securing a touchdown, while throwing two interceptions. His passer rating in the game plummeted to a concerning 50.5. Despite his past successes, this inconsistency has become a troubling trend for the Giants' QB.
Drafted as the sixth overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft, Jones has shown flashes of brilliance, with his 2022 season marked by a 92.5 passer rating and a commendable touchdown-to-interception ratio of 15 to 5. Notably, he led the league with the lowest interception rate at just 1.1% among qualifying quarterbacks that year, showcasing his capability to protect the ball when at his best. Additionally, he played a pivotal role in the Giants' playoff victory against the Minnesota Vikings, completing over 68% of his passes for 301 yards, two touchdowns, and no interceptions.
However, the pressures of consistent NFL performance seem to have taken a toll on Jones, as evidenced by his overall career record of 24-44-1. The recent decision by the Giants might also be influenced by financial considerations, as parting ways with Jones could save the franchise over $19 million, a substantial amount for any team looking to rebuild or realign strategies.
The Giants invested heavily in Jones, evidenced by his $160 million contract with $82 million guaranteed. This investment was made with the expectation that he would be the franchise quarterback for years to come. His benching now raises questions about the Giants' future direction, particularly as they eye the No. 3 overall spot in the 2024 NFL Draft.
As the Giants set their sights on potential new talent, several promising quarterbacks have emerged on their radar. Cameron Ward from Miami, with a 6.4% big-time throw rate and a 67% completion rate, has caught the eyes of many scouts. Similarly, Colorado's Sanders boasts an adjusted completion rate of 81.9% and an impressive big-time throw to turnover-worthy play ratio, suggesting a keen sense for high-stakes playmaking.
Jalen Milroe from Alabama has shown steady improvement over the past three seasons with his adjusted completion rate, indicating a developmental trajectory that teams like the Giants might find appealing in a young quarterback. Meanwhile, Quinn Ewers of Texas has already garnered significant experience competing in the College Football Playoff, bringing a level of competitiveness and maturity that could potentially align with the Giants' future ambitions.
The benching of Daniel Jones comes at a crossroads for the Giants, who are reassessing their strategic priorities both on and off the field. As the NFL season progresses, all eyes will be on how Tommy DeVito performs under center and whether the Giants can navigate this period of transition effectively.