EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — The New York Giants have officially granted quarterback Daniel Jones’ request to be released from the team, marking the end of his six-year tenure with the franchise. The announcement came on Friday, following a series of meetings between Jones, Giants president and owner John Mara, and head coach Brian Daboll. The two sides mutually agreed that it was best for both Jones and the team to part ways, according to Mara in a statement released by the organization.
The decision to release Jones comes after a tumultuous season for the Giants (2-8), which saw the quarterback benched in favor of Tommy DeVito earlier in the week. Despite his desire to remain the team’s starter, Jones and the Giants ultimately came to the conclusion that a change was necessary, given the team’s struggles and disappointing record.
Jones, who was selected by the Giants as the No. 6 overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft, had been the team’s franchise quarterback for much of his career. However, his performance this season and over the past few years had led to growing frustrations, both within the organization and among fans. After signing a four-year, $160 million contract extension in March 2023, Jones failed to meet the high expectations set for him, leading to his eventual departure.
A Six-Year Journey
Daniel Jones’ time with the Giants began with promise. The quarterback out of Duke was drafted in 2019 to replace longtime starter Eli Manning, and despite early growing pains, Jones showed flashes of potential. In his rookie season, he threw for over 3,000 yards and 24 touchdowns, although turnovers remained a concern. Over the following seasons, Jones showed signs of improvement but was never able to fully overcome the inconsistency that plagued his game.
In 2022, Jones led the Giants to the playoffs and secured a wild-card victory, which seemed to solidify his future with the team. The performance earned him a hefty contract extension, but the 2023 season has been a major disappointment. Jones has only thrown eight touchdowns and seven interceptions this year, and the team’s 3-13 record with him as the starter highlighted his struggles.
In a statement following the announcement of his release, Jones expressed his disappointment in how his tenure with the team ended but also took responsibility for his part in the team’s lack of success. “There have been some great times, but of course, we all wish there had been more of those,” Jones said. “I take full responsibility for my part in not bringing more wins. Nobody wanted to win more games than me, and I gave everything I had on the field and in my preparation. Of course, this season has been disappointing for all and I wish I could have done more. I’m 100% accountable for my part. I did not play well enough consistently enough to help the team get results.”
Jones’ frustration was evident when he spoke about the decision to bench him, stating that he understood the team’s need to make a change given their poor record. “The reality of the NFL is it’s hard to win games. It requires consistent performance for everyone involved. We didn’t do that well enough, so the idea to change something happens and I understand.”
A Mutually Agreed Move
The decision to release Jones was not taken lightly by either side. According to Mara, the Giants had multiple discussions with Jones, including a meeting with the quarterback on Friday morning before the final decision was made. Mara described Jones as a “great representative” of the organization, calling his handling of the situation with grace and maturity.
“Daniel has been a great representative of our organization, first-class in every way,” Mara said. “His handling of this situation yesterday exemplifies just that. We are all disappointed in how things have worked out.”
Despite the end of his time with the Giants, Jones will likely have opportunities to continue his NFL career with another team. After clearing waivers, it is expected that the quarterback will sign with a new team, although he would likely need to restructure his contract, as it would cost any claiming team close to $12 million for the remainder of the season.
The Benching and Transition to DeVito
Jones’ release comes after a series of events that led to his benching earlier this week. On Monday, the Giants decided to bench Jones in favor of rookie quarterback Tommy DeVito. DeVito, who was an undrafted free agent last year, had spent the 2023 season as the third-string quarterback behind Jones and veteran Drew Lock. DeVito will make his first start of the season on Sunday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, marking a major shift for the Giants as they move forward with a new quarterback under center.
The benching marked a dramatic shift in the Giants’ approach to the season. Jones, who had been the starting quarterback for most of the past six years, was replaced as the team sought to evaluate DeVito as the potential future of the franchise. While DeVito did manage to win three games as a starter last season, his primary role this year had been as a backup. However, his performance in practice and the decision to see what he could do under pressure led to his elevation as the starter over Jones.
Emotional Departure for Jones
Jones’ departure from the Giants was inevitable, but it was still a difficult one. Teammates and coaches expressed their respect for Jones, acknowledging the challenges he faced and the effort he put into his time with the team. “It was inevitable,” said outside linebacker Brian Burns, reflecting on the nature of the move. “Might as well get it over with.”
Head coach Brian Daboll, who had worked closely with Jones for the past two seasons, also expressed his admiration for the quarterback. “It’s never easy when something like this happens,” Daboll said. “Daniel put a lot into it. He’s a great young man.”
Jones, visibly emotional when speaking about his time in New York, knew his tenure with the Giants was coming to an end. The veteran quarterback’s emotional farewell highlighted the bittersweet nature of the decision.
“It was a tough situation,” Jones said. “I gave everything I had, and I’m excited for the next opportunity. I know there is a lot of good football in front of me.”
The Giants’ Financial Commitment
The move to release Jones also carries significant financial implications for the Giants. The team will face over $22 million in dead money on their salary cap for the 2024 season due to the release of Jones. This will be a considerable financial hit, but one that the Giants were willing to take in order to move on from the quarterback and give themselves flexibility heading into the future.
Despite the financial hit, Mara expressed his gratitude for Jones’ time with the team. “We hold Daniel in high regard and have a great appreciation for him,” Mara said. “We wish him nothing but the best in the future.”
As Jones moves on from the Giants, both sides look ahead to the future. The Giants will now shift their focus to developing their roster for the remainder of the season, while Jones will undoubtedly seek a fresh start with another team, hoping to turn the page and prove that there is still much to offer in his career.