The Vikings beat Giants quarterback Daniel Jones so badly on Sunday that even Minnesota outside linebacker Jonathan Greenard began to regret it.
During an interview on “The Power Trip Morning Show” on Tuesday, Greenard spoke about the booing Jones received, adding that he began to feel some sympathy for the oft-criticized quarterback as the game went on.
Giants fans continued to rail against Jones, waiting outside the player entrance to jeer him as he left MetLife Stadium after the team's 28-6 loss.
“I'm starting to feel a bit sorry for him because we're totally taking away from him everything he wants to do,” Greenard said on the radio show. “It's good that they're on the other side. It's our job not to be on their side.”
Jones finished the game with a 44.3 passer rating and two interceptions.
The point guard has been under intense scrutiny since signing a four-year, $160 million contract with the Giants ahead of the 2023 season.
For Jones, the 2023 season was one to forget, as he played in just six games due to neck and knee injuries.
Greenard said on his radio show that he had been in Jones' shoes during some tough years playing for Houston before he was booed by the home crowd.
“I've been booed in situations where we've been on the field and nothing's happening offensively and you just think it's an away game at this point,” Greenard said.
“But then we went at him and we understood where he was in his career and obviously based on the schemes that he has and contractual issues and stuff like that. So we knew he had a lot of issues. And then just adding another dimension of putting pressure on him, getting him to make his reads a little quicker and not get too confident and comfortable back in the pocket. So it was really awesome to see that on those first few drives.”
The Giants' offense managed just 240 yards in their season-opening loss.
But despite all the criticism of Jones, the Giants intend to use him as their quarterback for at least one more week, and coach Brian Daboll was positive on Monday that Jones is still QB1.
The Giants will face the Commanders on the road in Week 2 at 1 p.m.
