In a surprising turn of events, the New York Giants have decided to bench their starting quarterback Daniel Jones in favor of the lesser-known Tommy DeVito. This decision comes after a noticeably lackluster performance from Jones in a recent matchup against the Carolina Panthers. In that game, Jones threw for 190 yards, failed to secure any touchdowns, and was intercepted twice, culminating in a disappointing passer rating of 50.5.
As the Giants' front office weighs their options, this move raises eyebrows, considering the team's prior confidence in Jones. In the off-season leading up to the current campaign, the Giants committed to Jones with a hefty $160 million contract, ensuring $82 million of that amount was guaranteed. For a quarterback touted as the future of the franchise, these numbers underscore the team's belief in his potential—at least, until now.
Jones, however, is no stranger to scrutiny. With 68 regular-season starts under his belt, he holds a career record of 24 wins, 44 losses, and one tie. Yet, despite criticisms, his 2022 season showed promise. Not only did he achieve a notable passer rating of 92.5, but he also boasted an impressive touchdown-to-interception ratio of 15 to 5. Jones even led the league with the lowest interception rate among qualifying quarterbacks, standing at a mere 1.1% that year. His playoff performance against Minnesota further showcased his capabilities, as he completed over 68% of his passes for 301 yards, achieving two touchdowns without any interception.
The benching of Jones has also stirred discussions about the future direction of the franchise. Financially, moving on from Jones could save the Giants over $19 million. With an eye on rebuilding, the Giants are reportedly interested in securing a high pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, specifically targeting the No. 3 overall spot. Such a position could be pivotal in drafting one of the promising quarterback prospects anticipated to enter the NFL next season.
Potential Replacements in the Draft
Several collegiate quarterbacks have emerged as potential targets for the Giants. Cameron Ward of Miami stands out with a remarkable 6.4% big-time throw rate, paired with a 67% completion rate, indicating his potential to make game-changing plays consistently. Moreover, Colorado's standout, Sanders, boasts an adjusted completion rate of 81.9%, further complemented by an impressive ratio of big-time throws to turnover-worthy plays.
Meanwhile, Alabama's Jalen Milroe has demonstrated a steady improvement over the last three seasons in his adjusted completion rates, suggesting a promising upward trajectory in his performance. Texas’s Quinn Ewers, another contender, brings playoff experience from the college football realm, positioning him as a potentially valuable asset to any NFL team.
For the Giants, this phase represents both a challenge and an opportunity. While Daniel Jones' benching echoes broader concerns about his consistency, it also opens the door for a potential pivot in strategy that could redefine the team's future. As the season progresses, all eyes will be on the Giants' management and coaching staff to see how they navigate the evolving landscape and whether any of these collegiate stars might soon don the blue and white jersey in New York.