On Monday, the New York Giants officially benched quarterback Daniel Jones and demoted him to QB3, effectively ending his career in East Rutherford.
It was a move many expected after the Week 10 debacle against the Carolina Panthers in Germany, but more controversial decisions followed.
Instead of moving Drew Lock into a starting role and using Tommy DeVito as a backup, the Giants promoted DeVito to QB1 to provide a spark.
“We evaluated a lot of things, watched a lot of tape, and being around Tommy last year, he gave us a little bit of a spark, so that’s why we’re going with Tommy.” head coach Brian Daboll told reporters. .
“Drew will be the backup. Keep working with him. Just like Daniel, he was nothing but a professional. It’s never easy to have a conversation with the players. No, but we felt this was a necessary move for us and we look forward to working with Tommy to prepare for the game against Tampa.”
Daboll didn’t elaborate on why Jones was demoted to QB3 and will be out for the rest of the season, but it’s clear why. An injury clause and a guaranteed $23 million salary in 2025 are hanging over their heads. The coach tried to thread the needle with his comments because admitting that could get him in some trouble with the NFLPA.
Everyone can accept the answer with a wink or a nod. we know.
But why did they choose DeVito over Lock, who signed a one-year, $5 million deal during the offseason? After all, DeVito has been a healthy scratch over the past 10 games.
Pressed further, Daboll said that after evaluating the film, he suddenly realized that DeVito was the best quarterback.
“I wanted to take the time to look at a lot of tape, not just from this year, but some from last year, some from others, and try to make the best decision for the team. That’s what I wanted to do. That’s what I did,” he said.
Hmm. We’re confident it has nothing to do with the potential for an escalator in Lock’s contract or the fact that the Giants have the third-lowest remaining cap space in the NFL. It was just a “football decision.”
If that’s true, you have to wonder how the Giants didn’t realize this in their first 10 games.
Jones will likely be released after this season, Lock will become an unrestricted free agent, and DeVito will become an exclusive rights free agent. It’s quite possible, if not plausible, that none of the three will return.
“We’re just focused on this week here and the decisions we made to get these guys ready. That’s where we’re focused,” Jones said when asked about the future of Jones and the other quarterbacks. Daboll said at the time.
The irony is that while DeVito was probably the best choice, it’s how the Giants have treated him thus far, Lock’s contract, and Daboll’s answer that makes it a spectacle. This calls into question general manager Joe Schon and Daboll and their ability to properly evaluate the quarter. It also raises questions about their ability to handle contracts and human resources. After all, this isn’t the first time a personnel decision has raised eyebrows.
And what if DeVito, who will be playing behind an improved offensive line compared to his last pitch, actually comes out and wins? It might save the regime, but it cost them the chance to land a true franchise quarterback.
Even if the current Giants regime does the right thing, they will find a way to mess it up. And that doesn’t satisfy co-owners John Mara and Steve Tisch.
