Giants Owner: ‘I’m Still Happy’ About Daniel Jones’ Contract, ‘Give Him a Chance’
New York Giants owner John Mara still has faith in quarterback Daniel Jones despite a disappointing 2023 season, which ended with him throwing for just two touchdowns (and six interceptions) in six games before a torn ACL ended his campaign.
“Listen, I’m still happy we gave him that contract because I felt he played really well for us in ’22. Last year he got hurt and, let’s be honest, when he was playing, we weren’t blocking anybody. So let’s give him a chance with a better offensive line and some weapons around him and see what he can do.”
Mara made his remarks at the Hackensack (New Jersey) Medical Center, which unveiled a mural to honor the team’s 100th season, per ESPN’s Jordan Raanan.
In 2022, Jones helped lead the Giants to their first playoff appearance since 2016 and first playoff win since 2011. While his numbers didn’t jump off the page, he was efficient (67.2 percent completion rate) and threw just five interceptions in 16 games. The former Duke star also rushed for 708 yards and seven scores alongside his 15 passing touchdowns. During the 2023 offseason, he signed a four-year, $160 million contract.
But the 2023 campaign, which also included missed time with a neck injury, was a nightmare. In fairness to Jones, he arguably played behind the NFL’s worst offensive line, to the point where he took 30 sacks in six games. Jones simply didn’t have time to set up and get to work.
But still, a 1:3 touchdown-to-interception ratio isn’t ideal in any circumstance, and other Giants signal-callers (Tyrod Taylor, Tommy DeVito) outplayed him, albeit behind a more fortified O-line as the season went on.
But the fact of the matter is that the Giants are stuck with Jones this year, with the team incurring a $69.3 million dead cap charge with a cut. Mara really has no choice but to hope for the best.
Big Blue could more feasibly part ways with him in 2025 ($22.2 dead cap charge), and it’s clear based on the midseason Hard Knocks series that the Giants were interested in trading up, most notably with the New England Patriots at No. 3 for UNC’s Drake Maye. The team also clearly liked LSU’s Jayden Daniels, who wasn’t sliding past No. 2 with the Washington Commanders.
But Jones is QB1 now, after an erratic five-year tenure.
He has seemingly had his job on the line for a few years now. Injuries have curtailed his potential, as has inconsistent play and turnover issues.
But then there are times where he shines, like in the playoffs against Minnesota in 2022, when he threw for 301 yards and two scores and rushed for 78 yards. And he ultimately played a big part in what no Giants team was able to do for 11 years.
The silver lining is that the Giants’ offense around Jones looks better, with the addition of LSU star wideout Malik Nabers as well as some new free agent offensive linemen in Greg Van Roten, Jon Runyan Jr. and Jermaine Eluemunor.
So perhaps Mara’s optimism could be justified. We’ll find out soon enough as the Giants’ season opener against the Minnesota Vikings on Sept. 8 quickly nears.
