Why was Daniel Jones released? Giants abide by QB’s request after benching for Tommy DeVito | Sporting News United Kingdom

Daniel Jones made a heartfelt statement commemorating his six years with the Giants on Thursday, prompting questions regarding whether he would finish the season with the team.

Less than 24 hours later, Jones is on the open market.

The Giants released Jones on Friday, four days after benching him and demoting him to scout team safety to ensure he doesn’t trigger the injury guarantee in his contract.

Jones’ time with the Giants was up regardless of whether he stayed on the roster, but the unusual scene that played out at New York’s facility on Thursday had some wondering whether it was worth it to keep the former first-round pick on the roster at all. 

Here’s a look at why the Giants released Jones less than two years into his lucrative four-year contract.

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Why was Daniel Jones released?

The Giants announced that Jones requested and was granted his release on Friday. Jones said during Thursday’s press conference that he was still deciding whether to stay with the team through the end of the season, indicating that the move was on the table.

In a statement, the Giants said they “mutually agreed” with Jones that his release “would be best for him and the team.”

Statement from the Giants on the release of QB Daniel Jones: pic.twitter.com/llrTepPF38

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 22, 2024

Out of the playoff conversation at 2-8, the Giants made it clear they had no plans to let Jones back onto the field when they demoted him to No. 4 on the depth chart behind Tommy DeVito, Drew Lock and Tim Boyle. Jones played scout team safety in practice during the week, and it simply didn’t make much sense to keep him around if he had no chance of seeing the field again in a Giants uniform.

A major injury to Jones could have put the Giants on the hook for significantly more guaranteed money next season. Instead, Jones’ release on Friday leaves New York strapped with a bit more than $22.2 million in dead cap money.