Their $160 million gamble goes bust.
The New York Giants have decided to release quarterback Daniel Jones, bringing an end to his six-season tenure that included just one playoff appearance. This decision comes after Jones, who was recently demoted to fourth-string, approached team officials to request his release, according to the team’s announcement on Friday.
“Daniel has been an outstanding representative of our organization and a class act throughout his time here,” said Giants president John Mara in a statement on social media. “We are deeply disappointed with how things turned out, but we hold Daniel in high regard and wish him the very best moving forward.”
Jones addressed the media on Thursday following the news of his benching. “At the end of the day, this is football. It’s a results-driven business, and we weren’t getting the results,” he said.
The Giants, currently 2-8, appear to be eyeing a new quarterback in next year’s draft. Under Jones’ leadership, the team held a 24-45-1 record. Selected sixth overall in the 2019 NFL Draft out of Duke University, Jones signed a four-year, $160 million contract extension after his standout 2022 season, which saw the Giants reach the playoffs. However, his performance declined as injuries took their toll.
Last season, Jones dealt with a neck injury and tore his ACL in Week 9, ending his season prematurely. With the Giants’ salary cap considerations, releasing Jones now could free up as much as $20 million for next season, making the move a strategic financial decision for the team.
