Nearly eight months to the day he agreed to a four-year, $160M contract extension, New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones is as soon as once more going through uncertainty about his future.
On Sunday, the Giants fell to 2-7 after a deflating 30-6 loss to interim HC Antonio Pierce’s Las Vegas Raiders (4-5), throughout which Jones, who was getting back from a extreme neck ailment, exited with a knee injury. According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, Jones is believed to have suffered a torn ACL primarily based on his preliminary checks.
Once confirmed, Jones’s 2023 season can be over after he threw for simply 909 yards, two touchdowns and 6 interceptions, doubtlessly signaling the end of his tenure in New York.
Despite the large monetary dedication to Jones, the signal-caller’s contract is just assured via subsequent season. In flip, this might present flexibility if New York decides to start out over at quarterback, as Jones could possibly be a placeholder whereas a rookie acclimates to the professional degree. And primarily based on how they’re enjoying this season, the Giants are placing themselves in a place to take action.
Through 9 video games performed, New York holds the fourth general decide in the 2024 NFL Draft. Without Jones — and backup Tyrod Taylor for at the very least three video games — the Giants will flip to undrafted rookie Tommy DeVito, who threw for 175 yards, one landing and two interceptions on Sunday, as their starter.
It was tough to ascertain the Giants successful many video games with Jones, however by beginning DeVito, they may end up with the worst report in the league.
Nonetheless, securing a top-five decide would improve the probability that the Giants may choose USC’s Caleb Williams or UNC’s Drake Maye in the event that they so need, and plainly the group is already getting ready for such a state of affairs.
GM Joe Schoen, assistant GM Brandon Brown and director of participant personnel Tim McDonnell had been all in attendance for the Washington Huskies’ 52-42 win over USC on Saturday, presumably scouting quarterback prospects Williams and Michael Penix Jr.
This was the second event the place Schoen was in attendance to see Williams this season, the first being USC’s 48-20 loss to Notre Dame on Oct. 14, the worst sport of the Heisman Trophy winner’s profession.
Williams delivered a significantly better second exhibiting for Schoen, amassing 328 yards of complete offense and 4 touchdowns, additional solidifying his standing as the future No. 1 decide.
Although it could have appeared like a untimely transfer to scout quarterbacks heading into the weekend, Schoen might be glad he made the journey to Los Angeles, all issues thought of.
New York would doubtless have to lose out and have the Cardinals, Panthers and Bears string collectively a number of wins to make sure it lands Williams, although that is removed from a assure as a consequence of the NFL’s unpredictable nature.
However, if New York wins sufficient video games to fall out of vary for a quarterback, or if it would not land the first decide and nonetheless needs Williams, it has already begun stockpiling belongings to commerce up in the draft. The Giants personal 15 picks in the subsequent two drafts, together with two 2024 second-rounders, one of which was an element of the return in final week’s commerce that despatched DT Leonard Williams to Seattle.
While Jones hasn’t essentially had an actual probability to justify his contract extension or absolutely show himself as an NFL quarterback as a consequence of his unfavorable state of affairs, the resolution to draft Williams or Maye can be a easy one.
The present Giants regime did not draft Jones, and whereas Schoen prolonged Jones, he selected to say no his fifth-year possibility earlier than watching him in motion first-hand.
Jones’s extension could possibly be considered as a mistake in the long term, however given the deal’s construction, there is no purpose for Schoen to have purchaser’s regret, particularly if he drafts a franchise quarterback in April.
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