It’s no secret the New York Giants were seeking Daniel Jones’ successor at quarterback in this year’s NFL draft. We all saw the footage shot by the HBO crew during Hard Knocks the past five weeks where general manager Joe Schoen worked the phones trying to swing a trade to one up in the draft.
When Schoen finally exhausted all avenues and broke the news to the rest of the Giants’ brass, head coach Brian Daboll appeared to be disappointed. It would be another year with Jones, who has struggled to score points and stay healthy.
Jones was not drafted by Schoen and the group — even though they inked him to a four-year, $160 million extension a year ago — and would like to bring in their own quarterback to move forward with.
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The Giants signed another underachieving quarterback, Drew Lock, in free agency as insurance in case Jones suffers another neck or knee injury.
But what if Jones just doesn’t play up to the level that Daboll and Schoen need him to? Will they bench him?
Jones is coming off a torn ACL but looks to be healthy in drills and in scrimmages. But he hasn’t been sharp or consistent, often under and overthrowing wide-open targets, and now there is concern that he won’t be able to capitalize on the many weapons the front office has provided him with.
Connor Hughes of SNY recently wrote that maybe we’re seeing the best of Jones and perhaps the Giants should be ready to call on Lock.
Rust is expected for the Giants quarterback — an excuse, sure, but a justified one. Maybe, just maybe, more time will transport Jones back to the player who led the Giants to that improbable playoff victory in Minnesota two years ago.
Or maybe this is just the player Jones is now.
Brian Daboll and Joe Schoen must be ready for that reality and turn to Drew Lock if so.
The folks at Draft Sharks, who do not attend practices, added the below quote regarding Jones:
He’s consistently been underthrowing players this summer. … Accuracy is also an issue. There’s a clear point of emphasis from [HC Brian] Daboll to push the ball ever since he yanked the play calling from [OC] Mike Kafka. You’ll see more incompletions for that reason. Jones, though, has missed backs in the flat and receivers short near the sideline at an alarming rate. … The quarterback has time. The quarterback has receivers open. He’s not making the plays. The offense is struggling because of Jones, not in spite of him. That’s what’s alarming.
Lock has repeatedly said that he is here to back up Jones but the truth is, he was probably the bigger profile of the two coming out of college in 2019.
Jones was selected sixth overall and Lock was drafted by Denver in the second round (42nd overall). He was traded to Seattle in the Russell Wilson deal after three unfulfilling seasons.
The pressure is on Jones to produce this year. The Giants have an out in his contract after this season. They also want to win games.
The “short leash” could be a reality if things don’t change soon but it is worth remembering that we’re just six practices into training camp — the first team snaps Jones has taken since Week 9 of last season.
