Giants release Daniel Jones: What it means for NY and what comes next for the QB

By Charlotte Carroll, Dan Duggan and Lauren Smith

The New York Giants have released quarterback Daniel Jones, the team announced on Friday.

“Daniel came to me this morning and asked if we wanted to release him,” said Giants president John Mara said in a statement. “We mutually agreed that this would be best for him and for the team.

“Daniel has been a tremendous representative of our organization, first class in every respect. His handling of this situation yesterday is an example of this. We are all disappointed with the way things turned out. We hold Daniel in high regard and have great appreciation for him. We wish him nothing but the best for the future.”

met Brian Daboll #giants team and informed them of Daniel Jones’ release before it became public and before today’s practice

“This is not an easy matter” pic.twitter.com/fmM3wcrWo7

— Charlotte Carroll (@charlottecrrll) November 22, 2024

Jones, in his sixth season with the Giants after the team drafted him No. 6 overall in 2019, was benched Monday after the Giants’ 2-8 start to the season in which he completed 63.3 percent of his passes for 2,070 yards, eight touchdowns and seven interceptions over 10 games.

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The 27-year-old quarterback played in 70 games for New York over the past six seasons, throwing for 14,582 yards with 70 touchdowns and 47 interceptions and posting a 64.1 completion percentage.

Jones appeared to predict his release when he spoke to reporters after Thursday’s practice.

“The opportunity to play for the New York Giants was truly a dream come true. “I am extremely grateful to the Mara and Tisch families for the opportunity to play here,” he said. “No one wanted to win more games worse than me. I gave everything I had, on the field and in preparation. Obviously this season has been disappointing for everyone and I obviously wish I could have done more. I am 100% responsible for my part. I didn’t play well enough, consistently enough to help the team get (good) results.”

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Jones will hit waivers after his release and is unlikely to be claimed by another team with $13.8 million in guaranteed money remaining on his contract. Jones signed a four-year, $160 million extension with the Giants prior to the 2023 season.

To answer the most common questions I encounter:

• No impact on the Giants’ cap, whether they release it now or after the season.

• Jones can sign with another team immediately after clearing waivers (he will clear waivers).

— Dan Duggan (@DDuggan21) November 22, 2024

Players who clear waivers become free agents, and Jones could have some intriguing options once he hits the open market. He could try to join a playoff-caliber team in need of a quality backup. He could also try to go to a place where he could have a chance to start over this year (Jacksonville?). Or maybe he’ll look for a team where he can audition to be the team’s quarterback in 2025 (Las Vegas?).

Of course, Jones could also choose to take a break from football before choosing his next offseason destination.

Cowboys EVP Stephen Jones said further @SASportsStar that they have no interest in adding former Giants QB Daniel Jones.

“No, I think we’re in good shape at our quarterback spot. We think Cooper (Rush) gives us the best chance to win at the moment. And we definitely want to see that…

— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) November 22, 2024

The Giants, who have lost their past five games, host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 12 and will move forward with a new starter at quarterback. Giants coach Brian Daboll announced Monday, after the team’s bye in Week 11, that the Giants would make a change and start Tommy DeVito on Sunday.

“After evaluating and watching a lot of tape, that’s the reason we’re going with Tommy,” Daboll said. “Drew Lock will be the backup. This was a necessary step for us, and I look forward to working with Tommy, and he will be ready to go against Tampa Bay.”

Why the Giants made this move

My take on Daniel Jones’ release: It’s mutually beneficial, but the Giants wouldn’t make the first move.

If Jones had been okay with showing up every day and going through the motions as a QB4, they would have gone with it. But once he asked out, they would (obviously) grant that wish. — Dan Duggan, Giants beat writer

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Which means a new start for both parties

Both the Giants and Jones get a much-needed fresh start with the release of the QB. The Giants end the season with DeVito and Lock, but the focus now shifts to who will be the next face of the franchise. Right now, the Giants are ranked No. 3 in the NFL Draft, per Tankathon. For now, there are three other teams with two wins. The Giants were never going to overtly tank, but in what should be a less top-heavy QB draft, a higher draft order could be paramount in finding Jones’ successor.

As New York moves on, Jones can finally do the same. When asked Thursday about the possibility of being released before the end of the season and playing with another team, Jones said he was still focused on the Giants. He said he was “still processing and trying to think about what is best for this team and what is best for me.”

If Daniel Jones is not claimed, a team could sign him Monday after 4 p.m. A more realistic scenario would be that he is signed on Tuesday or Wednesday.

He could also wait for a desperate QB team to turn to him.

— Dianna Russini (@DMRussini) November 22, 2024

But now the reality is that Jones could play elsewhere. The question is: will he decide to do so and with which team? Some of the teams floating around social media presenting the most intriguing options since being on the Giants’ remaining schedule: the Dallas Cowboys (Dak Prescott is out for the year and backup Cooper Rush has struggled) and the Philadelphia Eagles (final game of the year where starters could potentially get started as the Eagles hunt for the playoffs). There are other possible combinations, of course, but these two offer the most Shakespearean twists. — Charlotte Carroll, Giants beat writer

How this move affects New York’s finances

There is no impact for the Giants if Jones is released now or after the season, as they will have plenty of cap space in 2025. The only possible cap impact would be if the Giants waited until after June 1 to make a cut, as The Athletics Dan Duggan commented.

By doing so, the team would push $11.1 million in dead money into 2026. But the Giants wouldn’t have been able to spend that money until June, meaning they wouldn’t have been able to use those extra dollars in free agency when they mattered most. Instead, the entire $22.2 million in dead money will go toward the 2025 cap year. And both sides are getting a much-needed fresh start with Jones’ decision to seek the release. – Caroll

Required reading

(Photo: Al Bello/Getty Images)