The New York Giants have undergone significant changes in their coaching staff for the 2024 season, raising speculation about the future of head coach Brian Daboll.
Amidst mounting pressure on the front office, quarterback Daniel Jones finds himself in a precarious position regarding his long-term status with the team.
Despite being owed a hefty $35.5 million, fully guaranteed for the 2024 season, Jones is still in the process of recovering from a season-ending ACL surgery. While there’s optimism that he’ll be cleared to start in Week 1, the Giants’ commitment to him as the undisputed starter appears uncertain.
Last offseason, when the Giants inked Jones to a four-year, $160 million contract extension, they structured the deal with an exit strategy in mind. Following the conclusion of the 2024 season, the Giants hold the option to release Jones in 2025, saving $19.395 million in cap space (pre-June 1 release), or even $30.5 million if he’s designated as a post-June 1 release.
Given the flexibility in Jones’ contract and his prior performance concerns before the 2022 season, the possibility looms that the Giants might utilize their top pick in the 2024 NFL Draft to secure a quarterback.
According to reports from NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero, Giants’ general manager Joe Schoen has been spotted at numerous games this past fall, where quarterbacks Caleb Williams and Michael Penix Jr. showcased their talents.
Furthermore, the Giants have been identified as a team to watch for potential moves up the draft board to secure a franchise quarterback.
Securing one of the top quarterback prospects, such as Williams, Drake Maye, or Jayden Daniels, would likely require the Giants to trade up from their current No. 6 overall pick. Despite other roster needs, the allure of landing a promising quarterback like Daniels could prove tempting for the organization.
Trading up for a rookie quarterback could also serve as a strategic move to buy more time for Schoen and Daboll. They could justify the need for patience with a rookie quarterback, coupled with the promise of bolstering the roster significantly after clearing Jones’ contract in 2025.
With reports suggesting that the New England Patriots are open to trading down from their No. 3 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, the Giants could find an opportunity to secure Daniels or Maye if they deem either quarterback a better long-term option than Jones.
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