1 on 1: Why Daniel Jones ‘absolutely’ believes he’s one of the best QBs in the NFL

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Up close, you can see that the white No. 8 on Daniel Jones’ red New York Giants practice jersey is frayed to the point of cracking apart. This sweat-drenched article of clothing looks like that very first Champion jersey you wore nonstop as a kid that’s now packed away in Mom and Dad’s attic.

Fitting attire.

Hard to imagine another quarterback who’s been batted around physically and tested mentally more than the 27-year-old these last six seasons.

His hair’s matted with perspiration. Temps climbed into the high 90s today.

He’s got a promising base for a beard. It’s not patchy.

After Thursday’s training camp practice, Jones takes a seat on a ledge, right underneath a lip of shade, at the Quest Diagnostics Training Center. His coach, Brian Daboll, has been ramping up the urgency. You’ll see more 11-on-11 work here than just about any camp. As teammates pass by, they dap up their QB one by one. “Boss today!” vet Isaiah Simmons says. “Boss!” Linebacker Bobby Okereke’s eyes simply widen when he slaps the QB’s hand. This was a good day, indeed. The highlight: a picturesque beauty of a deep ball to sixth overall pick, Malik Nabers.

Jones has started 61 games and thrown 1,962 passes. Perhaps your opinion is entrenched. You’ve seen everything you need to see. Even the Giants have doubts. They explored a trade up to No. 3 overall for Drake Maye last spring.  

Yet, it’s also a fact that Jones has never been in a situation this good. It’s not even close.

He finally has a legitimate playmaker at WR1. His offensive line was fortified. (After absorbing 179 sacks, he should have time to function.) This is his third year in Daboll’s offense, a scheme that supplies a solution to virtually anything a defense tries. (The head coach is taking over playcalling, too.) Best of all? He’s healthy. The only way you can tell Jones even tore his ACL last season is the black sleeve over his right leg. Daboll himself said on Friday he’s “proud” of Jones’ recovery.

Here at Go Long, we’ll have a more comprehensive look at these 2024 Giants soon. I spent this week chatting with people throughout the organization.

First, I figured it’d be a good idea to share my 1-on-1 chat with the quarterback in full below.

The pressure’s on.

Yes, GM Joe Schoen signed Jones to a four-year, $160 million contract extension. But in reality, it was a two-year deal. New York can cut ties after this season if they’d like. Jones career will take a very hard turn either direction this fall. Perhaps injury issues bog him down yet again and/or he can’t keep up with Dallas and Philly in the NFC East. Perhaps the Daboll-Jones union finally has a chance to take flight this season. Jones did light up the Minnesota Vikings for 301 yards on 24-of-35 passing with two touchdowns and another 78 rushing yards in the 2022 wild card. Even last season, at Arizona, Jones became the first player ever to do the following in the second half of a game: throw for 250+ yards, rush for 50+ yards, throw 2+ touchdowns, rush for a TD with no turnovers.

Despite their draft flirtations — for at least one more season — the Giants decided to see if that quarterback can stick.

The great dichotomy of Jones was oh-so clear these last two practices. I spotted one fan in a “Vanilla Vick” No. 8 jersey, and several grown men screaming at a high-pitched crescendo that’d make the 13-year-olds at a Taylor Swift concert blush. Then, after one interception, in came a hearty “You f–king suck!” from the first row.

The narrative can always change hard and fast in the Big Apple.  

Once again, Daniel Jones is quarterbacking this flagship NFL franchise.

He’s stoic, but he also provides plenty of substance.

• How the turmoil the last six years made him.

• His relationship with the fiery Daboll.

• The repaired knee, and his work ethic. The veins snaking up his forearms are noticeable.

• Hard Knocks. What did Jones think of all that behind-the-scenes footage, showing his bosses pursuing another quarterback. (Hint: He was not happy.)

• Who is the real “Daniel Jones” at quarterback in Jones’ words?

• Nabers’ impact.

• Why he believes he’s capable of being one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL.

Enjoy.

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You look healthy out there. What’s your level of excitement right now?

Jones: Yeah, I’m excited. I’m excited with where we are as a group. I think bringing in a couple guys offensively is going to help us and then we got some young guys who are getting older — older guys who’ve been good players for us. So when you think about that mix, right now, that’s what it’s about. Finding how we all gel together. The chemistry. Playing well together and picking each other up and elevating our level of play. But I’m excited.