The New York Giants ended their playoff drought this past season thanks to a breakout year from quarterback Daniel Jones under the direction of head coach Brian Daboll. As the franchise looks ahead to the 2023 season, expectations are being set even higher.
New York wasn’t entirely sold on Jones heading into 2022. Under new organizational leadership, the Giants opted against exercising the fifth-year rookie option on Jones’s contract. It put pressure on the former first-round pick to prove himself.
Jones surpassed every expectation the first-year coaching staff and the front office had for him. Playing in a contract year, he set career-highs in completion rate (67.2 percent), QBR (60.8) and set a career-low in interception rate (1.1 percent)
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Jones turned the breakthrough season into a four-year contract worth $160 million, becoming one of the highest-paid NFL quarterbacks. With the deal signed, Daboll is already expecting Jones to set an even higher standard of play next season.
Appearing on NFL Network, Daboll said he is excited about the upcoming 2023 Giants’ season and expects Jones to grow into becoming an even better quarterback this fall.
“It’s his second year in the system. I don’t think he’s had continuity since he’s been there. We all can do a better job. I think that he really adapted to the things that we were asking him to do. We tried to implement a lot of the things that he likes to do. That’s just another step going into the offseason of adding some more pieces. More players around him. And also him growing into the quarterback that we think he can be.
New York Giants coach Brian Daboll on quarterback Daniel Jones
New York has made a few additions to improve the talent around Jones. In addition to placing the franchise tag on Saquon Barkley, the Giants traded for tight end Darren Waller and signed wide receiver Parris Campbell.
It’s not hard to spot areas where Jones could improve next season. Turning 26 in May, the 6-foot-5 quarterback still offers a higher ceiling if he makes strides in specific areas.
Jones ranked 19th in quarterback rating (94.9) against the blitz last season, per Pro Football Focus. While he recorded the sixth-highest passer rating (111.9) on throws 20-plus yards downfield, Jones’s 4.9 percent deep-throw rate was the second-lost among qualified quarterbacks.
Ultimately, the most important thing for the Giants is that they improved the offensive weaponry around Jones and he will be entering his second season in Daboll’s system. Even if he doesn’t take another step forward as a quarterback, New York now has stability at the position for the first time in years.