The New York Giants have seen better days.
Since 2017, the Giants have posted a .272 winning percentage, tied with the other New York team, the Jets, for the worst winning percentage in the NFL during that time.
With all the head coaching and player turnover in the Big Apple, one thing has remained constant for the past three years, quarterback Daniel Jones. Jones was selected sixth overall in 2019 by the Giants with the hopes that he would be the heir apparent to Super Bowl winning signal caller Eli Manning. Unfortunately, things haven’t exactly gone according to plan.
Over his three-year career, Jones has amassed 45 passing touchdowns to 29 interceptions, while completing 62.8 percent of his passes and posting a 84.3 passer rating. He showed promise during his rookie campaign, leading all rookies in passing touchdowns with 24 in 2019. In each of the seasons that followed, Jones has failed to eclipse 15 touchdown passes.
As a Giants fan, it’s easy to point the finger solely at Jones for his struggles. After all, he was selected with a top-10 pick. Quarterbacks who get drafted that high come with high expectations, regardless of the circumstances surrounding them.
The truth is, the reason for the Giants’ struggles over the past few years lies somewhere in the middle. Jones certainly deserves some level of blame, but the organization has failed to find a quality head coach since Tom Coughlin left in 2016 and the front office has missed on several draft picks and free agent signings.
Last offseason, general manager Dave Gettleman tried to surround Jones with talent, but nearly every move he made ended in disappointment. Wideout Kenny Golladay signed a massive four-year, $72 million deal and he finished his 2021 campaign with just 37 receptions for 521 yards and zero touchdowns. First-round pick Kadarius Toney was similarly disappointing, ending his rookie season with 39 catches for 420 yards and, again, zero touchdowns.
Some of that lacking production can be traced back to Jones, who finished the year as the 21st-best quarterback according to Pro Football Focus, but the offensive scheme and play calling should get the bulk of the blame.
With new head coach Brian Daboll and general manager Joe Shoen running the show, Giants fans have a glimmer of hope. Not only for their team overall, but for Jones specifically.
Both Daboll and Shoen spent time together in Buffalo over the past few years, building one of the best teams in the NFL. Daboll played a huge role in the emergence of quarterback Josh Allen, developing him into a perennial MVP candidate. Shoen spent the last five years as the Bills assistant general manager, helping the organization reach new heights.
Jones has the ability to be a solid starting quarterback in this league, it was evident during his rookie season. Daboll can continue his quarterback wizardry in New York, and Shoen begins to re-tool the team through the NFL Draft, there’s no reason to think Jones can’t rebound from a tough two-year stretch.
