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It took me a few days to gather my thoughts, but at last, the words have found their way to my keyboard. A tumultuous chapter of New York Giants football has come to an end: Daniel Jones has been released after being demoted to the fourth string and later requesting to be waived. It’s a move that had to happen, but strangely, it doesn’t feel right.
I wasn’t thrilled when they drafted him. I was skeptical at times, but I eventually became a believer. Danny threw some dimes, and, man, could he run. The turnovers were brutal, but they got better. The decision-making was questionable, but it improved. Still, six seasons is a long time in the NFL to be “just okay,” and the record painted a different picture. Were my blinders on? Maybe. But Daniel Jones earned his contract extension after taking the G-Men back to the playoffs. His rookie season hooked me, and the 2022 season gave me hope for success again.
The real blame lies with the Giants' front office—more specifically, the organizational brass as a whole. If they had been smarter, they would’ve cut ties with Jones in the offseason instead of signing Drew Lock. That money could’ve gone to Saquon Barkley and bridging the gap with someone like Russell Wilson. If they had made those moves, we’d be looking at a playoff team, not eyeing the number-one pick in the draft.
That being said, we can all agree—it was time to move on. The Giants chose not to draft a quarterback this past offseason, and the contract they gave Daniel Jones was structured to avoid hindering the team’s future if things didn’t work out. The writing had been on the wall since last year. Still, there’s something important that needs to be said about Daniel Jones as a whole.
Six seasons of highs and lows. Media scrutiny, multiple head coaches, and dreadful starts mixed with glimmers of hope. Through it all, Daniel Jones became the scapegoat for the team’s failures—but he never should have been. Yes, the quarterback is always the first to shoulder the blame when things go south, but Jones never pointed fingers at others. He didn’t fault the revolving door of coaches, the dropped passes, or the lack of roster stability. He showed up every day, put in the work, and carried himself with professionalism.
The way the Giants handled this situation was nothing short of disgraceful. It was embarrassing, plain and simple. It started in the offseason. Why bring Tommy DeVito back? Why sign Drew Lock? Why perpetuate a situation that had already been brewing for too long? What unfolded this week was entirely avoidable.
This season has been a disappointment because of roster construction and coaching—not solely because of Jones. To be frank, it makes me question the leadership of Joe Schoen and Brian Daboll. But the issues go even higher than them. Benching Jones is one thing, but demoting him to the fourth string and having him play scout-team safety? That’s an all-time low.
Yet, despite all of this, Daniel Jones didn’t complain publicly. He didn’t lash out. He simply accepted that it was time to move on.
If I’m being honest, people online love to clown the Giants for being "cursed" ever since the infamous boat photo before the 2016 playoffs, but the real issues with this franchise started long before that moment. Things began unraveling when the organization pushed Tom Coughlin out the door. The mishandling of Eli Manning’s final years, making OBJ the scapegoat, firing coaches left and right without building any stability—it all points to a leadership problem. The Mara family needs to take a long, hard look at themselves and figure out how to fix this.
The culture of the Giants is in an identity crisis. How can a historic franchise, now in its 100th season, with alumni who have dedicated their lives to this team and current players meant to be cornerstones for the future, become the laughingstock of the NFL?
The current players seem unhappy with how the team handled their captain, and I don’t blame them. The organization will need to clean house and make amends if the Giants ever want to be a destination for top talent again instead of a burial ground for careers. The rest of this season looks grim (as if it hasn’t been already), but it might get worse before it gets better.
I’m not typically one to advocate for tanking, but if Tommy DeVito leads us to another mid-tier finish like last year, I’ll be furious. Don’t get me wrong—I’m thrilled we landed Malik Nabers, but this team doesn’t have time for another season of mediocrity. The upcoming quarterback class has plenty of talent, but determining who truly stands out is no easy task. One day I’m high on Cam Ward, the next it’s Shedeur Sanders, and you can even make cases for Jalen Milroe, Quinn Ewers, or Jaxson Dart. There’s no shortage of options—but do we trust this coaching staff and front office to make the right pick?
That said, I’m also open to the idea of a bridge quarterback. Whether it’s Tommy DeVito sticking around, a younger option like Justin Fields, or a veteran like Sam Darnold or Jameis Winston, this team needs someone who can stabilize the offense while the organization figures out its long-term plan.
I want to take a moment to thank Daniel Jones for everything he’s given this franchise over the years. He was a warrior—on and off the field—taking beatings but never backing down. He truly embodied what it means to be a Giant and deserved far better than what he got. I hope he lands on a contender in the coming days, and I can’t wait to see his career revitalized. Whether he becomes the next Baker Mayfield or Sam Darnold in finding his second wind, I know he’ll get another opportunity and prove the Giants wrong.
Wishing Daniel Jones all the best—and hoping the Giants spend the next few months addressing the deeper issues within this franchise.
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