QB Daniel Jones disagrees with Giants’ decision to bench him and says he wants to play

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – With occasional tears in his eyes, Daniel Jones on Thursday disagreed with the New York Giants’ decision to bench him earlier this week and perhaps end his five-plus tenure as the team’s quarterback.

The 27-year-old Jones said he gave the team everything he had after being selected sixth overall in the 2019 draft and believes he still has a future in the NFL. He held himself responsible for the Giants reaching the playoffs once during his tenure as a starter.

The Duke product took over early in his rookie season when then-coach Pat Shurmur benched two-time Super Bowl MVP Eli Manning, who was nearing the end of his career.

Coach Brian Daboll benched Jones on Monday after the Giants (2-8) returned to practice following a bye week and 20-17 overtime loss to Carolina in Germany.

Tommy DeVito will start Sunday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, where Daboll hopes he can spark the team.

“Definitely not happy about it,” said Jones, who read a 90-second statement before taking questions from reporters. “Yeah, not what you want to hear. So yeah, all the feelings you have. But at the end of the day, it’s football, we’re in a business where you expected to get results and we didn’t.

Wearing his red jersey without contact with a faded no. 8, Jones indicated that the Giants offered him the option to walk away from the team with seven games left in the season.

He said he’s considering it, but he also wanted to stay and help DeVito get ready this week.

The Giants are unlikely to let him play again. He has two years left on a four-year, $160 million contract. Next season includes a $23 million guarantee that will kick in if he gets injured and isn’t ready to start the 2025 season.

Since being benched, Jones has gotten almost no snaps, with most of them being taken by DeVito and backup Drew Lock.

“I got the damage guarantee,” Jones said of his lack of work.

Asked if he would have waived the guarantee, Jones said general manager Joe Schoen and his agent, Brian Murphy, discussed the issue, but that was it.

Jones spoke for nearly 11 minutes. He became emotional when he told receiver Darius Slayton and defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence both referred to him as still the best quarterback on the team. All three were drafted in 2019.

Jones called the Giants a top-notch organization, valued the relationships he has and thanked his teammates, coaches and staff.

“There have been some good times. But of course we all wish there had been more of them,” Jones said. “I take full responsibility for my part in not bringing more wins. No one wanted to win more games more than me. I gave everything I had on the pitch and in my preparation.”

Jones called the 2024 season disappointing and took responsibility.

“The idea of ​​changing something happens and I understand. I love the game,” Jones said. “I love being part of a team. I am excited for the next opportunity. I know there’s a lot of good football ahead of me.”

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