Kyle Rudolph doesn't recognize Daniel Jones, despite being impressed with him as the Giants quarterback during their lone season as teammates in 2021.
“The Daniel Jones we saw in Sunday's game is not the Daniel Jones that led the team to the divisional round of the playoffs.” Rudolph said on “Up & Adams” Thursday.“He's not the same guy I played with him for a year. His confidence is totally gone. How can you blame him? He's fighting for his life every time he steps on the court.”
Rudolph said he has a high opinion of Jones from their time together in East Rutherford, but he joined the growing chorus of critics of Jones' awful performance in Week 1 against the Vikings.
Jones completed 22 of 42 passes for 186 yards, zero touchdowns and two interceptions (including six interceptions) in a 28-6 loss to the Vikings.
Jones was booed during and after the game, with even Vikings players feeling sorry for the $160 million quarterback.
His awful performance raises questions about the Giants' best and worst performances this season, which is shaping up to be a pivotal one for Jones, general manager Joe Sean and coach Brian Daboll.
“He's got to get his confidence back,” said Rudolph, who played for the Vikings from 2011-20. “I don't know how they do it, but the player I saw on Sunday against my old team was not the player I know and know he's capable of doing that.”
“So going forward, I hope he can get that magic back, that confidence back like the guy I was around and the guy I played with. The ability is there. He's super talented and incredibly blessed.”
Jones didn't play well, but Rudolph suggested some of the blame also lies with the Giants' front office, who traded away one of Jones' best playmakers, Saquon Barkley.
Barkley accounted for three touchdowns in his Eagles debut Friday night, but Jones and the Giants couldn't reach the end zone.
Big Blue will look to bounce back on the road in Week 2 against a Commanders team that often gets the best out of its struggling quarterback.
“I've said this a lot when talking about DJ: Can we guard him?” Rudolph said. “They got the other piece, the playmaker. They got Malik Neighbors in the draft this year, but they gave up Saquon Barkley. We saw what Saquon did on Friday night in Brazil. An explosive, dynamic playmaker. DJ would have loved to have him next to him.”
