In public, New York Giants general manager Joe Schoen and head coach Brian Daboll remain committed to and confident in quarterback Daniel Jones.
However, in private, the regime may be regretting their decision to sign DJ to a four-year, $160 million contract.
Ryan Dunleavy of the New York Post, during a recent appearance on Talkin’ Giants with Bobby Skinner and Justin Penik, shared his insight.
“I don’t believe, from my sources, that they view Daniel Jones the same way that they viewed him at this time last offseason when it was like, ‘we can not lose Daniel Jones.’ Do I think there’s a chance he’s still QB1 going into next season? Yeah, I do,” Dunleavy said.
But that does not mean the Giants don’t intend to address the position. Schoen has been transparent about their needs at quarterback with Jones coming off a torn ACL and Tyrod Taylor likely hitting free agency.
They could sign a veteran in free agency but Dunleavy believes they’ll also select a quarterback in the 2024 NFL draft, albeit with their second pick and not necessarily No. 6 overall.
“I think there’s a very good chance that they use their second pick, whether that’s a second-round pick or trade-up to a second first-round pick, I do think there’s a chance that’s what they end up doing at quarterback,” Dunleavy said. “And then you’re looking at the J.J. McCarthy’s, Michael Penix’s, Bo Nix (or) someone like that after picking a Rome Odunze or Malik Nabers at six.”
However things play out, expected Jones to face stricter competition for the starting job in 2024 than he has previously.
“I do think there will be competition for Daniel Jones one way or the another,” Dunleavy.
Ultimately, Dunleavy believes, the decision at quarterback will provide the blueprint for the Giants’ plans for Schoen and Daboll moving forward.
If owners John Mara and Steve Tisch allow them to take a quarterback at No. 6 overall, it indicates they’re not on the hot seat and will remain until at least 2025. But if they are on the hot seat — and Dunleavy believes they are — it makes no sense for the Giants to take a quarterback at No. 6 and then force that player on an incoming regime a year later should things crumble again next season.
A lot can change between now and the draft, but how the Giants approach the quarterback situation in free agency and then the draft will tell you a lot about how ownership sees things playing out and how much faith Schoen and Daboll actually have in Jones.
If Schoen and Daboll have job security, Dunleavy could even see them trading up for a quarterback in Round 1. But…that’s beginning to seem unlikely.
