Will the Giants bench Daniel Jones?
The New York Giants now hold the worst record in the NFL after their tough 20-17 overtime loss to the struggling Carolina Panthers. The Giants couldn’t get much going against Carolina’s defense, and most of their offense came thanks to Tyrone Tracy’s surprising performance. Unfortunately, one of the biggest disappointments came from veteran quarterback Daniel Jones, who had a rough outing under the spotlight in Munich.
Jones struggled mightily, turning the ball over twice and failing to throw a touchdown pass for the sixth time this season. His costly mistake in the fourth quarter prevented the Giants from tying the game with a field goal as time ran out.
Through the first 10 games of the season, Jones has been far from impressive, contributing to the Giants’ 2-8 record. Fans are growing increasingly frustrated and have called for head coach Brian Daboll to consider switching quarterbacks.
Looking at Jones’ performance in the loss to the Panthers, it’s clear why some might want a change. Here’s a quick look at his stats: He passed for 190 yards, threw no touchdowns, and tossed two interceptions. He also rushed 7 times for 26 yards and scored one rushing touchdown. Despite putting up some yardage, his turnovers and lack of passing production highlight his struggles.
Even though Jones has had his share of poor games, the Giants haven’t shown signs of benching him just yet. Head coach Brian Daboll has remained one of Jones’ strongest supporters since joining the team, and the partnership between them helped guide the Giants to the playoffs last year. Jones was rewarded with a big four-year, $160 million contract for his strong performance in 2022. But this season, things have not gone as planned. The team’s struggles and Jones’ growing list of turnovers have made that contract harder to ignore.
Against the Panthers, Jones again struggled with turnovers, including one inside the red zone when the Giants could’ve tied the game with a field goal. The Giants’ early struggles this season are a direct result of these mistakes, with Jones contributing more than his fair share.
Despite the disappointing season, Daboll still has the backing of the front office. Giants co-owner John Mara expressed confidence in Daboll and general manager Joe Schoen, saying there would be no changes to the leadership this season or in the offseason. Daboll also reiterated his support for Jones, stating that he never considered pulling him from the game against Carolina, even after a rough first half.
However, this sense of stability might not last long if the losses keep piling up. While Jones’ spot as the starter isn’t in immediate danger, it seems like a real possibility that the Giants could explore other options as the season progresses. With backup quarterback Drew Lock available, New York has a capable alternative, and it wouldn’t be surprising if Daboll eventually makes a move to shake things up.
