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The New York Giants remain publicly committed to quarterback Daniel Jones but their decision to decline his fifth-year option has raised some eyebrows.
It shouldn’t.
Business in the NFL is just that — business. Guaranteeing Jones a 2023 salary of $22.4 million was never in the cards. Nothing that happened this offseason was ever going to change that, so general manager Joe Schoen hedged his bets.
If Jones plays well in 2022, the Giants can simply use the franchise tag on him next year. During that time, they’re free to negotiate a long-term deal or just wait another season to see if Jones continues to improve. It’s the best of all worlds.
And just because the Giants declined Jones’ fifth-year option doesn’t mean their faith in him is all smoke and mirrors. And that’s something Pro Football Hall of Famer Kurt Warner wants the 24-year-old to keep in mind.
“Everybody wants to get their big deal two years before the contract is up and wants teams to commit to them for next decade, but it doesn’t work that way,” Warner told the New York Daily News. “Daniel has to be realistic and say ‘You know what? I haven’t played at that level to say I’m a franchise guy yet.’
“It doesn’t mean he can’t. The lack of weapons around him could be a reason for why he hasn’t yet. And it doesn’t mean the Giants don’t believe in you. It doesn’t mean they don’t want you to be that franchise quarterback. But the money at that position is crazy.”
The Giants have undeniably done Jones a disservice, especially over the previous two years. His offensive line has been among the worst in football, while the rushing attack hasn’t been much better. The receivers have been among the league leaders in dropped passes and near the bottom in separation. Do we even dare talk about the injuries?
Still, the clock is ticking on Jones. Sometimes you’re dealt a bad hand and over the past two seasons, he hasn’t played it well.
In 2022, that excuse will no longer hold water.
“I think it was the right thing to do by the organization and in accordance with how Daniel has played to this point,” Warner added. “But I don’t think it’s contradictory to what the Giants are saying. They’re saying we’re going to put a team around him and create an infrastructure so he has the chance to show us what he’s going to be. And if he does, we’re gonna sign him to that deal.
“But he hasn’t shown us yet.”
Luckily for Jones, Giants head coach Brian Daboll intends to take the leash off him this year. He wants Jones to be aggressive and not fear making mistakes. It’s the same sort of approach that made Eli Manning a dominant quarterback under Kevin Gilbride.
“You’re never gonna be a great team or compete for a championship if you’re gonna keep a leash on your quarterback, if he doesn’t do what’s needed to compete with the best in the league,” Warner said. “That’s the approach you have to take with Daniel is ‘show us. We want you to be that guy, now it’s time to do your part and be that guy.’ If you continue to keep handcuffs on him, then you’re just saying he’s not that guy.”
The new Giants regime is making the right decisions and they’re finally giving Jones his best chance of success. The rest, as they say, is on him.
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