An injury to a starter could, in theory, save the Giants $11.83 million owed to Daniel Jones

The Giants announced Friday that they would release quarterback Daniel Jones. However, the Giants waited until Saturday to cut him.

The one-day free delay could end up saving them $11.83 million.

If a starting quarterback for a struggling team suffers a serious injury today, that team could decide to claim Jones off waivers. It all depends on whether that team is willing to skip over its backup and pay Jones — and also assume the $23 million injury guarantee for 2025.

If that happens, the Giants wouldn’t owe Jones another penny.

The chances are slim, but look at last year. The Vikings lost quarterback Kirk Cousins ​​to a torn Achilles tendon two days before the trade deadline. They mobilized to find someone/anyone to increase their chances. Josh Dobbs was the replacement.

With Jones set to become a free agent if/when he clears waivers, a sufficiently desperate team might decide to pay the money to get a quarterback who can step right in and step right up and maybe get things done with a better offense line than one he has been stuck with in New York in recent years.