The changing of the guard is finally here. It is the end of the road for Jones.
The New York Giants have danced around and hinted at the end of the Daniel Jones experiment for months, dating back to the off season, exploring and publicly craving new quarterbacks since well before the start of the 2024 campaign. On Monday, 10 games in, they finally pushed the button and acted on their desires, benching Jones with plans to promote the local kid, backup Tommy DeVito, aka ‘Tommy Cutlets’ moving forward, as CBS Sports NFL insider Jonathan Jones reports.
General manager Joe Schoen told reporters last week that any move concerning Jones’ role would be a “football decision,” answering to speculation New York could demote the former sixth overall pick out of Duke, to avoid a potential $23 million injury payout. Jones, 27 years-of-age, went an embarrassing 3-13 in his last 16 starts under center, and his 79.4 passer rating this year ranked 32nd among qualified quarterbacks.
The Giants originally signed former Denver Broncos starter and Seattle Seahawks reserve Drew Lock as their new backup quarterback this offseason, replacing Jacoby Brissett and Lock made a cameo appearance in mop up duty during two games this year. DeVito, however, has more experience as a fill-in starter under coach Brian Daboll, going 3-3 in place of an injured Jones during the 2023 season.
Embed from Getty ImagesUndrafted out of Illinois, the 26-year-old DeVito became something of a local celebrity and fan favorite as a rookie, growing up in New Jersey and throwing eight touchdowns to three interceptions as an emergency starter. He is set to make his 2024 debut in Sunday’s fast approaching Week 12 matchup with Baker Mayfield and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Jones, meanwhile, has more than likely played his last down of football for the Giants, despite signing a four-year, $160 million contract extension ahead of the 2023 season. Slowed to a snail’s pace by significant injuries, turnovers and questionable supporting casts, especially offensive line play for much of his first three NFL seasons, the former No. 6 overall selection drew Comeback Player of the Year consideration in a career 2022 campaign, totaling 22 touchdowns and just five picks, while rushing for more than 700 yards, in his first year under Daboll, later securing a road playoff victory against Kirk Cousins and the Minnesota Vikings.
Jones played just six games a year later, totaling seven turnovers in a 1-5 start before suffering a torn ACL. Both Daboll and Schoen openly considered acquiring a new starting quarterback after his shortened season, before settling on another audition for the embattled Duke product.
