The NFL world was stunned Friday when the New York Giants announced they are granting quarterback Daniel Jones’ request to be released from the team. The shocking move comes less than two years after Jones signed a massive four-year, $160 million contract extension with the Giants in March 2023.
Giants president John Mara confirmed the decision in a statement, revealing that he and Jones mutually agreed it “would be best for him and for the team” to part ways at this juncture. Mara expressed disappointment in how the situation unfolded but commended Jones for how he handled the process.
“Daniel has been a great representative of our organization, first class in every way,” Mara said. “His handling of this situation yesterday exemplifies just that. We are all disappointed in how things have worked out.”
John Mara, New York Giants President
An Unexpected End to Jones’ Giants Tenure
Jones, 26, was drafted sixth overall by the Giants in the 2019 NFL Draft out of Duke University. After an up-and-down start to his career, he seemed to hit his stride in 2022, leading New York to a surprising playoff berth and earning his lucrative extension.
However, the 2023 season proved to be a major disappointment for Jones and the Giants. The team stumbled to a 6-11 record as Jones struggled with turnovers and inconsistency. Rumblings of discontent between the quarterback and coaching staff surfaced late in the season, though all parties publicly downplayed any friction.
The abrupt decision to release Jones indicates those issues may have been more significant than initially believed. It’s a stunning fall from grace for a player many believed to be the Giants’ franchise quarterback after his 2023 extension.
What’s Next for Jones and the Giants?
As a vested veteran, Jones is not subject to waivers and immediately becomes a free agent upon his release. Despite his disappointing 2023 campaign, the 26-year-old is sure to generate significant interest on the open market given his physical tools, experience, and prior success.
Potential landing spots for Jones could include quarterback-needy teams like the Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, or Washington Commanders. A return to the NFC East to face the Giants twice per year would certainly add intrigue to an already fascinating storyline.
For the Giants, moving on from Jones leaves a massive void at the game’s most important position. The team is likely to explore all avenues to find their next signal caller, including trades, free agency, and the 2025 NFL Draft.
Cutting ties with Jones will leave a substantial dead cap hit on the Giants’ books, limiting their financial flexibility in the short term. But the organization clearly felt a clean break was necessary to begin a new chapter.
The Pressure is on in New York
Giants general manager Joe Schoen and head coach Brian Daboll, both entering their third seasons with the team, now face immense pressure to get the quarterback decision right. The duo received praise for their work in leading the Giants back to the playoffs in 2022 but saw much of that goodwill evaporate during a trying 2023 season.
How Schoen and Daboll navigate this pivotal offseason could well determine their long-term future with the organization. Mara is not known for his patience, and another losing season could put everyone’s jobs in jeopardy.
For Giants fans, the stunning move is just the latest in a series of frustrations since the team’s last Super Bowl win over a decade ago. After brief optimism, they once again find themselves searching for answers at quarterback and direction as a franchise.
The Daniel Jones era is over in New York after a tenure marked by tantalizing highs and confounding lows. The Giants are now left to pick up the pieces and chart a new course, while Jones looks to resurrect his once-promising career in a new city. In the NFL, the only constant is change.
