A new report suggests the New York Giants have a massive financial incentive to find a replacement for quarterback Daniel Jones sooner than later.
After the first week of NFL free agency, the Giants have received mixed reviews from league pundits. While they made several signings and a trade that has earned a lot of praise around the industry, the fact that they let stars Saquon Barkley and Xavier McKinney walk on the open market doesn’t give much hope for them in 2024.
However, those additions and subtractions seem secondary to the conversation about the team’s QB situation. Most fans want to move on from Daniel Jones after another injury-filled and disappointing showing in 2023. While they spoke with Russell Wilson when he hit free agency, they didn’t land the future Hall-of-Famer and instead traded for veteran backup Drew Lock.
- Daniel Jones stats (2023): 1-5 record, 1,115 total yards, 3 total TDs, 6 INTs, 70.5 rating
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Giants are on the hook for $25 million next year if Daniel Jones suffers a major injury
The organization could use one of their top two picks next month on a QB, but many believe they will miss out on getting the best prospects in this year’s draft class. While their chances of getting a strong potential replacement are looking not too hot at the moment, it seems the organization has a very expensive reason to push for change at the QB spot in 2024.
On a recent episode of his “Breaking Big Blue,” podcast New York Giants reporter Jordan Raanan explained why the team could try to avoid a huge payout by deciding on a new starter this upcoming season.
“The smoke keeps building around Daniel Jones. Building, and building, and building. And usually — what’s the saying — when there’s smoke, there’s fire.,” Raanan said. “There’s an injury guarantee out there with Daniel Jones, $23 million for 2025. If he gets injured sometime this season, the Giants will be on the hook for that.”
- Daniel Jones contract: 4 years, $160 million ($92 guaranteed)
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Considering Jones’ history with injuries, that clause seems like a ticking time bomb waiting to be finalized. The benefit of Jones’ contract is that the team can get out of it after this season without any owed money. However, this new information would open a door to the massive contract they gave him last year backfiring on the organization.
Raanan said he still believes Jones will be the likely Week 1 starter but the team will have a much shorter hook than ever before to bench him if he is playing poorly so they can avoid the injury risk and 2025 commitment if he gets hurt.
