After Thursday's practice, quarterback Daniel Jones, who was benched, stood before the game. new york giants media, He called playing for the organization a “dream come true” and said he is “100 percent responsible” for his role. He got off to a 2-8 start in New York.
On Friday, Jones requested and was granted his release from the team.
In a statement posted to social media, the Giants called the quarterback a “great representative” of the organization, noted his “handling” of the situation and directly addressed his comments to the media.
Jones will now be headed for waivers, but given his contract for this season, it's unlikely he will be claimed. The team claims Jones is guaranteed the remaining $13,805,555 in 2024, meaning Jones will likely become a free agent.
This would give Jones a role in decisions about where he will play next if he becomes a free agent.
There are also some financial implications for the Giants here. Jones was scheduled to be paid $30.5 million in 2025, putting his cap hit above $41 million. But releasing him now means New York will receive the full $22.21 million dead cap hit next season instead of $41.605 million next season. Therefore, this release would save the Giants nearly $20 million in 2025 cap space and cash associated with his 2025 contract, and the QB would be completely off the books in 2026.
This marks the end of his stay in New York. Jones was a first-round pick by the Giants in 2019 and was taken sixth overall, becoming the second quarterback selected behind No. 1 overall pick Kyler Murray. During his tenure in New York, Jones led the Giants to one playoff appearance and a Giants win. minnesota vikings in the wild card round after the 2022 NFL season.
After that season, he signed a massive four-year contract extension worth up to $160 million.
Mr. Jones's release is a lesson in responsibility – the organization's direct reference to how he handled the “situation” speaks to that point – as well as a lesson in responsibility for the organization in this position. It's also a lesson on how to deal with it. When the Giants decided to extend Jones' contract, which opened the door for Saquon Barkley's eventual departure, many around the league had questions. Was his rebound season in 2022 and New York's postseason berth a sign of real growth, built on the benefit of a new offensive system and weaker schedule more than anything else, or more of a mirage?
Everything that's happened in New York since then provides perhaps the best answer to that question.
