Quarterback Daniel Jones’ time with the New York Giants is seemingly over, but that doesn’t mean his career is.
On Monday, the Giants benched Jones for backup QB Tommy DeVito. He was 2-8 in 10 starts, completing 63.3% of his passes for 2,070 yards, eight touchdowns and seven interceptions. If New York cuts or trades him with a post-June 1st designation in 2025, it incurs $11.105M in dead money via OvertheCap.com.
In his Tuesday column, ESPN’s Ben Solak explained Jones could salvage his career elsewhere, like another former first-round QB.
“Jones will be 28 years old next season, still young enough that you can expect his mobility to remain a big part of his game for the next few seasons,” wrote Solak. “He’ll be as old with his next team as Baker Mayfield was when he joined the Buccaneers, and I can’t help but wonder if his career will follow a similar arc.”
The Browns traded Mayfield to the Panthers in 2022. After Carolina waived the 2018 No. 1 overall pick, he had a brief stint with the Rams and then found a home in Tampa Bay.
Mayfield has made one Pro Bowl in two seasons with the Buccaneers and won a playoff game. Through 10 starts this season, he has the league’s third-most TD passes (24).
Jones has a 24-44-1 regular-season record in six seasons with New York and has completed 64.1% of his passes for 70 TDs and 47 interceptions. Those numbers aren’t elite, but they’re not dreadful.
Remember that New York didn’t set up the 2019 No. 6 overall pick for success, either. Jones has yet to play with a wide receiver who finished 1,000-plus yards.
Jones may succeed with a better franchise, perhaps the Minnesota Vikings. On Monday, CBS Sports’ Jordan Dajani tabbed them as one of five potential landing spots.
Vikings rookie QB J.J. McCarthy is recovering from a knee injury, so Minnesota may not want to rush him in 2025. Sam Darnold — who ranks fifth in the league in TD passes (19 in 10 starts) — is a free agent this offseason. If Jones joined the Vikings, he would benefit from working with head coach Kevin O’Connell, an offensive wizard.
Regardless, expect Jones to receive one more opportunity. He has some potential. Adding him could be a low-risk, high-reward move for a QB-needy team.
