Retired NFL quarterback Matt Cassel, now writing for The 33rd Team, released his “Way-Too-Early NFL Quarterback Rankings for 2023” this week and he views Daniel Jones of the New York Giants as someone who belongs in the middle of the pack.
Cassel dropped Jones in at No. 16 overall but left open the possibility for him to climb in the rankings.
Daniel Jones proved he can play. Now the New York Giants may have to prove they can pay. Jones is one of the more underrated arms in the league. He is accurate, and he has arm strength that doesn’t get talked about enough. He’s also become a hybrid pocket-running passer like we’re seeing more and more in the league right now. The future is bright for Jones.
Despite the praise for Jones, Giants wide receiver Darius Slayton took exception to the ranking and sounded off on Twitter.
There’s people ahead of the guy at 16 that didn’t make the playoffs last year……and some more that didn’t make it further in the playoffs than the guy at 16 but i mean I guess that makes sense in 2023 😂😂 https://t.co/f9snnIZrK8
— Darius Slayton (@Young_Slay2) February 24, 2023
Twitter immediately fired back at Slayton but the truth is, the receiver does have a point. Jones critics have frequently piled on for a lack of wins and no playoff appearances, but have now reversed course and dismissed that accomplishment. Instead, they’ve resorted to nitpicking whatever negative they can find even if it contradicts their previous criticisms.
Jones has become one of the most polarizing athletes in all of football and discussions about him are almost political in nature. Each side has their heels dug in and they refuse to budge. His teammates, meanwhile, continue to stump for him whenever the opportunity presents itself.
For Jones, having the support of his teammates is much more meaningful than having the support of Twitter, which isn’t a real place.
