The New York Giants have some big decisions to make this offseason, and the most important of all will be if starting quarterback Daniel Jones is in their plans for 2024 and beyond.
There is no other way to say it than the New York Giants 2023-24 campaign was a disaster. The organization had so much hope for this roster heading into the season after shocking the NFL world to reach the Divisional Round of the playoffs earlier this year. Yet, everything that seemed to go right for them last year went wrong this season.
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The most notable difference in 2023 was the absence of Daniel Jones for much of the season. In 2022, the former first-round pick took a much-needed leap forward in his development as he became an impact player and dual-threat under head coach Brian Daboll and offensive coordinator Mike Kafka. But this season the injury bug that has bedeviled him his entire career returned and limited him to just six games.
Yet, in the six games Jones did play this season, he gave the organization and fans reason to fear 2022 was just a flash in the pan and he would not complete the four-year, $160 million contract they gave him in the offseason. Furthermore, the 2024 NFL Draft has an impressive crop of QB prospects that the organization should consider as a better long-term fit than the Duke standout.
The Giants could go in two distinct directions in the offseason. They either continue their investment in Jones. address the offensive line and other areas in the draft-free agency, or they could use the fifth overall selection in April to pick the player to replace their QB in 2024 or 2025. Let’s look at some of the possible scenarios for the Giants with or without Daniel Jones.
3 New York Giants scenarios with Daniel Jones in their future plans
Daniel Jones-Marcus Mariota
Chances are New York moves on from Tyrod Taylor as their backup due to his own issues with injuries. That is why starting Jones and having another former first-rounder, Marcus Mariota, serve as his backup. Daboll likes to use an offense with a mobile QB and Mariota is exactly that.
Furthermore, while he was a draft bust he has settled into a very nice role as one of the better backup signal callers in the sport and he would come at a reasonable rate.
Daniel Jones-Mason Rudolph
Four-year veteran Mason Rudolph did a really nice job for the Pittsburgh Steelers at the end of this season to help them win their final three games and stay in the playoff chase. If New York wants to keep the door open for a QB battle but not use a high-value pick in April, bringing in a young backup and seeing if they can coach him up to another level if Jones falters is very possible. Especially, since he would be a cost-efficient option.
Daniel Jones-Tommy DeVito
If the New York Giants want to keep the status quo and believe Jones is their man, as long as they improve the offensive line, then bringing back Tommy DeVito to serve as their backup in 2024 is a strong possibility. He was rock solid at times for them in relief this season. He certainly has room for improvement while also being an affordable option they know can succeed in their system.
3 New York Giants scenarios without Daniel Jones in their future plans
Draft Jayden Daniels
If the Giants want to go in a different direction at quarterback long-term, using their top five selection in the 2024 NFL Draft on Heisman Trophy winner Jayden Daniels is a route many NFL experts believe the team will take. The LSU star is a dual-threat QB who fits Daboll’s system and the league’s current style quite well.
Along with throwing for nearly 4,000 yards and 40 passing touchdowns, he also ran for 1,134 yards and 10 more touchdowns on the ground in 2023.
Draft Drake Maye
Daniels’ stock has been on the rise over the last few months and it is possible that he may not be available when the New York Giants make their pick in the first round. That is why North Carolina star Drake Maye could be another option. Maye is viewed as maybe the best pure passer in this year’s class and has a major upside.
In this scenario, the goal would be to make him the next Eli Manning and use the 2024 offseason to put really good weapons and blockers around him.
Trade Daniel Jones and sign Kirk Cousins
If the New York Giants want to go in a different direction with a higher chance of success now, the franchise could target impending free agent Kirk Cousins. The four-time Pro Bowler is the best QB available this offseason and could make them an NFC East title contender next season if the offensive line is improved.
Daniel Jones is still a solid quarterback with a team-friendly contract that could appeal to many QB-needy teams who miss out on a top prospect or Cousins in the offseason.