Daniel Jones bids farewell to Giants as time in N.Y. nears end: ‘Wish I could have done more’

Giants quarterback Daniel Jones spoke to the media after Thursday’s practice, delivering an apparent farewell address after six seasons with the team.

Jones was benched on Monday in favor of Tommy DeVito as the last-place Giants enter Week 12 at 2-8. Jones spent a portion of Thursday’s session wearing a red scout team jersey and afterward took accountability for his part in leading just one winning season since his arrival in 2019.

“The opportunity to play for the New York Giants was truly a dream come true. I’m extremely grateful to the Mara and Tisch families for the chance to play here,” Jones said. “No one wanted to win more games worse than me. I gave everything I had on the field and in preparation. Of course, this season has been disappointing for all and of course, I wish I could have done more. I’m 100% accountable for my part. I did not play well enough, consistently enough to help the team get (good) results.”

Jones, currently in the second season of the four-year, $160 million contract extension signed in 2022, acknowledged that he’s “still processing” whether he’ll remain with the team for the rest of the season.

The 27-year-old did confirm, though, that his $23 million injury guarantee contributed to the team’s decision to sit him.

“I want to play. I want to be on the field. I tried to do as much as I could to make that possible and create a situation where we were both comfortable,” Jones said when asked whether he considered waiving the guarantee. “Unfortunate business side of the game.”

With the expectation that he has played his final snap in a Giants uniform, Jones expressed excitement over his next opportunity. “I know there’s a lot of good football in front of me,” he said.

Still, Jones was visibly emotional at points, particularly when thanking his teammates, coaches, staffers and fans.

“To all the fans, I have deep respect and appreciation for your passion and love for the Giants. The fans are a huge part of what makes playing for the Giants so special.”

Why the Giants made the move

It was strange to see Jones in a red scout-team pinnie lining up at safety during a walk-through period early in Thursday’s practice. But that’s the quarterback’s new reality, as he has dropped to fourth on the depth chart after the Giants benched him this week.

The Giants are essentially putting Jones in bubble wrap to avoid risking the $23 million injury guarantee in his contract, so he’s not participating in any live periods of practice. But Jones stood in at safety as the offensive line and quarterbacks prepped for the blitzes they’ll see from the Buccaneers on Sunday. Jones was joined on the ragtag scout team defense by practice squad offensive linemen and members of the coaching staff.

That figures to be the extent of Jones’ practice participation for the final seven weeks of the season, unless he and the team reach an agreement to send him home. – Dan Duggan, Giants senior writer

Required reading

(Photo: Luke Hales / Getty Images)