The New York Giants released quarterback Daniel Jones at his request Friday after removing him from the starting role earlier in the week, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported.
Jones walked into Giants owner John Mara’s office Friday morning with a request to be released, which Mara granted, stating, “We mutually agreed that would be best for him and for the team.”
Statement from the Giants on the release of QB Daniel Jones: pic.twitter.com/llrTepPF38
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 22, 2024
His release marks the end of a saga of failure.
Jones, whom the Giants selected with the sixth overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft and later signed to a $160 million deal in 2023, consistently ranked among the league’s worst quarterbacks by numerous metrics.
The team infamously chose to invest heavily in Jones while star running back Saquon Barkley was seeking a new contract. Barkley ultimately departed for the division rival Philadelphia Eagles, where he currently ranks as the NFL’s second-leading rusher with 1,137 yards. (RELATED: Star Running Back Departs Franchise For Bitter Rival, And I’m Inconsolably Heartbroken)
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – JANUARY 01: Daniel Jones #8 of the New York Giants hands off to Saquon Barkley #26 of the New York Giants during the third quarter against the Indianapolis Colts at MetLife Stadium on January 01, 2023 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Vincent Alban/Getty Images
The Jones saga came to a head Monday after the team announced they were benching him in favor of undrafted backup Tommy DeVito. Adding to the humiliation, Jones was relegated to the fourth-string position and even assigned to play scout team safety.
Daniel Jones spent part of the open portion of practice wearing a red scout team jersey lined up at safety during an offensive install period. He was joined on the scout team D by some practice squad OL, TE coach Tim Kelly, assistant QB coach Christian Jones and offensive…
— Dan Duggan (@DDuggan21) November 21, 2024
I’m a Giants fan. I started at the Daily Caller as a sports blogger, but after moving into a new role as a reporter, I haven’t written a blog in months. But I had to put my blogger hat back on for a minute to express my frustration at the pure futility of this franchise’s decision-making process.
From start to finish, the Giants — a proud organization with four Super Bowl trophies — made the worst possible choices at every single turn.
The Giants were at a crossroads with Jones and Barkley, and they chose wrong. Rather than paying the explosive, once-in-a-lifetime (albeit injury-prone) athletic freak, they went with the dude who had one good season for them in 2022.
THE 180 HURDLE??? DID SAQUON JUST INVENT THIS?!
📺: #JAXvsPHI on CBS/Paramount+
📱: https://t.co/waVpO8ZBqG pic.twitter.com/tYThjnbdgG— NFL (@NFL) November 3, 2024
I truly feel bad for Daniel Jones. He sucked. But I feel for him. Playing in New York is hard. He clearly didn’t have the giblets for it, which is sad because the guy has about as much physical talent as anyone who’s ever suited up for the G-men. But between the ears, he just couldn’t put it together. Bad decisions, poor reads and what was either an inability or an unwillingness to hold onto the damn football — it all contributed to the final product that was Daniel Jones’ miserable Giants career.
It’s a disappointing end to his Big Apple tenure, and I’m about 95% sure he’s going to pull a Sam Darnold and ball out for the Raiders or some other quarterback-needy team next year, because that’s just how the universe works.
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – NOVEMBER 03: Daniel Jones #8 of the New York Giants reacts during the fourth quarter against the Washington Commanders at MetLife Stadium on November 03, 2024 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Al Bello/Getty Images
In the meantime, the Giants are going to need a serious palate cleanser to rid themselves of the pathetic stench of the Daniel Jones era. Maybe burn some sage or bring an exorcist into MetLife Stadium.
Jones’ time in blue is best remembered by this play: reaching 20 mph on a near 80-yard touchdown run, only to trip on nothing, turning what should have been a marvelous spectacle into an epic fail.
DANIEL JONES TRIPS ON A 80-YARD RUN 😅
(via @NFL)pic.twitter.com/IsgSDvAGAr
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) October 23, 2020
Fare thee well, Mr. Jones. You won’t be missed.
This article was originally published at dailycaller.com
