New York Giants players respond to Daniel Jones being benched amid disastrous season
The New York Giants have been criticized for their handling of quarterback Daniel Jones, and according to Fox Sports NFL insider Jordan Schultz, that disapproval comes from within the locker room.
“There is ‘disappointment’ among some #Giants players over the way the Daniel Jones situation was handled over the past week, especially as players were aware that it was primarily a financial decision by the organization,” Schultz wrote about X.
The struggling former first-round pick was demoted to the third string this week after the Giants fell to 2-8 following Sunday’s overtime loss to the lowly Carolina Panthers in Germany.
This comes after the Giants gave Jones a four-year contract worth $160 million, only half of which is guaranteed. That means New York can release him this offseason, lowering his cap hit to $22 million from the $41 million he would represent if he remained on the roster.
“We’re not idiots,” said Schultz, who an offensive player told him over the phone. ‘They did it because of money. So be it. But Daniel was all class, never complained and is now completely ignored. The TEAM record is bad. You can point your finger anywhere.
Jones was demoted to the third string this week after the Giants fell to 2-8 with Sunday’s loss
“Trying to blame him is bullshit, and making him third string is so lame**.”
The team now plans to start fan favorite and local hero Tommy DeVito, while fellow veteran Drew Lock remains the backup.
But to listen to Jones’ most prominent teammate, he remains the team’s best option for now.
“He’s the QB1,” All-Pro defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence II said Tuesday. “To me, he’s the best quarterback on the team.”
As Schultz explained, multiple sources ranging from players, coaches and executives see deep-seated problems within the team.
“…The problems within the organization extend far beyond just one person,” Schultz wrote.
Jones’ agents did not immediately respond to DailyMail.com’s request for comment.
Dexter Lawrence II Says He Still Considers Daniel Jones ‘QB1’: ‘He’s the Best Quarterback’
For his part, head coach Brian Daboll hasn’t placed all the blame on Jones, or at least not publicly.
“It’s not Daniel’s fault, it’s my fault, it’s a very attacking performance,” Daboll told reporters. “So when I made this decision again to kind of fuel it to give Tommy another opportunity, he did some nice things while he was there and played as a rookie. And I know he’s eager for this opportunity.”
Both Daboll and Giants GM Joe Schoen could be replaced this season without any signs of improvement.
Jones, the sixth overall pick of the 2019 NFL Draft, is having his second straight bad season with New York. In ten games, he threw just eight touchdowns while giving up seven interceptions and four fumbles.
The Giants could have options in April’s NFL Draft, with Colorado quarterback and Deion Sanders’ son Sheduer, Miami star Cam Ward, Alabama’s Jalen Milroe and Georgia’s Carson Beck all likely in play for New York.