It’s time for the New York Giants to start over, and that starts with head coach Brian Daboll and quarterback Daniel Jones.
After a 20-17 overtime loss in Germany at the hands of Bryce Young’s Carolina Panthers, the Giants are 2-8.
Now let’s be clear on something. Nobody really expected the Giants to be much of anything this year. They pretty much waved the white flag on 2024 when they let the best running back in the game, Saquon Barkley, walk away to a division rival on a long-term deal back in March.
Their 2-8 record isn’t as embarrassing when you realize that it should not be unexpected.
Despite never showing the true, intangible traits of a Super Bowl-caliber quarterback, the Giants decided to extend Jones to a four-year, $160 million contract. Everyone online trolls Jones for his ineptitude, but that’s just who he is as a quarterback. It’s who he has always been. It’s who he will always be.
But it’s time to move on. The contract has an out this offseason and the Giants would be flatout stupid to not exercise that clause. They likely will. Remember, they were in on several quarterbacks in the 2024 NFL Draft class, but ultimately selected wide receiver Malik Nabers with the No. 6 overall selection.
Moving off of the No. 6 overall pick in 2019, Jones would cost the Giants about $22 million in dead cap space, but that’s not that much money as long as your new quarterback is still on his rookie deal. It’s practically how the Denver Broncos have their head above water after the Russell Wilson fiasco, which is comedically working out for the Pittsburgh Steelers as well.
But Jones isn’t a solo actor in the crime of the 2024 Giants. Daboll shouldn’t be allowed anywhere near the next quarterback. Neither should offensive coordinator Mike Kafka.
It’s time for a fresh start with a fresh quarterback.
Jones has a 22-44-1 record as the starter for the Giants. Replacing Eli Manning was never going to be easy, but Jones probably was never going to be the guy to make that happen.
Dynasties in football are rare. Not everyone can be the Green Bay Packers, who consistently spit out franchise quarterbacks. The Steelers have struggled to replace Ben Roethlisberger since his retirement. After Tom Brady’s departure, the New England Patriots have already drafted two different first round QBs. These guys don’t exactly grow on trees.
There’s no guarantee that the next guy will be a hit for the Giants, and that goes for the coach or quarterback. But it can’t really be much worse than what they have now.
