Tue Nov, 3 2020: East Rutherford, NJ
GM Dave Gettleman and The New York Football Giants № 6 pick in the 2019 NFL Draft surprised the league when they selected Duke’s Daniel Jones to be the heir to Eli Manning’s throne. Receiving boos on draft night, Jones quickly earned some faith among the New York fanbase after a gutty performance in his first NFL appearance in which he led a comeback to beat the Bucs on the road in dramatic fashion. Since then, however, things have not trended in the right direction. Since being drafted, many excuses could be made for the Giants’ and Jones’ struggle- a dysfunctional front office, a putrid offensive line, an overwhelmed head coach- were all parts of the issue. However, ultimately last night's performance against Tom Brady’s then 5–2 Tampa Bay squad cemented my position on Jones. On a night where the the Giants defense played the best we have seen in weeks, the Giants had a window to close within one game of the division. Now, ultimately the loss may help the Giants in their pursuit of a Top 5 draft pick but focusing on Jones performance, there are many questions that have to be asked. Jones’s missed key throws to WR Darius Slayton and Sterling Shepard. While OC Jason Garrett’s play calling wasn't doing Jones too many favors, Jones was in positions to win the Giants the ballgame. The two terrible interceptions he threw was parlayed into 10 points by the Bucs. Jones had a chance to tie the game for New York with a two point conversion with thirty seconds left but was late on the throw to RB Dion Lewis. The failed attempt clinched the 25–23 loss for the Giants.
With the team clearly buying into Joe Judge, which is evident by their effort every week, it is time to ask if Daniel Jones is the future of the G-Men. The answer is a simple no. After last nights loss, Daniel Jones now has 34 turnovers in 20 games. The only other player with more in that amount of games was Ryan Leaf with 41 (1998–2000). Who’s Ryan Leaf your asking? Exactly, not the company you want to be in if your Jones. Both the eye test and the stats for Jones are not convincing. There is a strong chance the Giants find themselves drafting in the Top 5 next spring. While superstar Clemson QB Trevor Lawrence a surefire №1 pick, that leaves QB’s Justin Fields, Zach Wilson, and Trey Lance available. Gettleman needs to eat his sunk costs and go with one of the talented guys aforementioned. As a second round talent, Gettleman overdrafted Jones to begin with. It's time to move on.The Arizona Cardinals did so to perfection, drafting QB Kyler Murray just a year after selecting a bust in QB Josh Rosen. It can be done, it should be done.
With the arrival of Joe Judge, the Giants defense finally looking fast and hungry, an all-pro RB in Saquon Barkley, an improving young offensive line and solid wide receivers, the organization needs a franchise QB. I am certain that guy, will be in Las Vegas in April of 2021 waiting to hear his name called. It’s not Daniel Jones, no matter how bad Gettleman wants to believe so.
