The 2023 season has been disastrous for the New York Giants this season. But the franchise hit a new low in Week 9 against the Las Vegas Raiders. Not only did the Giants get blown out 30-6 by a rookie quarterback with an interim head coach leading the way, but yet another injury was suffered.
Last week against the New York Jets, quarterback Tyrod Taylor suffered an injury to his ribs that could keep him sidelined for the remainder of the season. While certainly a discouraging update, the blow was softened when it was announced that Daniel Jones, their regular starting quarterback, was cleared to return to the lineup.
That return didn’t last too long. Jones, who hadn’t played since Week 5 because of a neck injury, suffered a devastating knee injury in the game. The Giants’ worst fears came to realization, as Jones was diagnosed with a torn ACL in his right knee.
As a result, the Giants will likely be turning to Tommy DeVito for the time being. They also have Matt Barkley on the practice squad, who will likely be elevated to the 53-man roster. It would not be surprising to see them bring in another veteran for some more insurance
This is a brutal blow for Jones and the franchise. He signed a four-year, $160 million deal in March and was just coming back from a neck injury. But, NFL contracts aren’t always what they seem to be and that is the case with Jones.
In reality, he signed a two-year deal, as there isn’t any guaranteed money on his contract beyond the 2024 season. That out in the contract is one the Giants will likely exercise now, as the torn ACL effectively will end Jones’ tenure with Big Blue.
It would be hard to imagine general manager Joe Schoen and head coach Brian Daboll putting their job security into Jones returning from an ACL injury in Year 3 of their tenure together. Given the direction the 2023 season is heading in, the Giants will be in a prime position to select one of the top quarterback prospects in the 2024 NFL Draft.
New York’s odds of landing inside the top five are increasing every week with every loss. It is hard to imagine they will be competitive on a weekly basis with a combination of DeVito and Barkley leading the offense.
Schoen and Daboll knew they were coming into a situation that could require a multi-year rebuild. They surprised everyone by making the playoffs in Year 1, but Year 2 has been disastrous.
Hitting the reset button during the 2024 offseason and bringing in a top quarterback prospect to build the team around is something Schoen and Daboll likely cannot pass up on. Only six games into a lucrative contract, Jones’s time as the team’s starting quarterback is more than likely over.
Want the latest NFL analysis, breaking news, and insider information? Click here. Interested in reading storylines and analysis about the NBA? Check out our partner NBA Analysis Network.
