Jones’ tumultuous, mostly terrible tenure in New York is finally over.
The New York Giants are out of sight and out of mind in the playoff race, but they did just make a move that is a reminder of why the Seattle Seahawks find themselves in such a precarious spot in the playoff chase.
Starting quarterback Daniel Jones was benched earlier in the week for third-string quarterback Tommy DeVito, then reduced to scout-team safety during practice, and now he’s off the Giants for good.
After requesting his release, the Giants granted the 2019 first-round pick his exit after six seasons and one playoff win. The Giants will take on over $20 million in dead money after giving Jones a four-year, $160 million contract extension at the end of the 2022 season, which ended in Jones’ lone playoff appearance and win.
If Jones is claimed off waivers (spoiler: he probably won’t) then that team will assume $11,833,333 of his guaranteed 2024 salary plus the $25 million injury guarantee for 2025.
The only reason we’re bringing this up is not because Drew Lock managed to get passed over for the starting job (for similarly incentive-based/tank commander reasons), but because the record books will show that Daniel Jones’ final win of his Giants career came against the Seahawks. Even without star rookie receiver Malik Nabers, Jones was 23/34 for 257 yards, 2 touchdowns, 38 yards rushing, and 0 turnovers in New York’s 29-20 win at Lumen Field.
Since the Seahawks win, the Giants have lost five in a row, and Jones has gone 102/163 for 932 yards, 2 touchdowns, 4 interceptions, and 2 lost fumbles while averaging just 13.4 points per game.
Which is to say, I wish the Seahawks had played the Giants later in the season with this current defensive roster than the one that actually played Jones, because it’s possible we’re looking back at this game as the crucial “gimme” that costs the Seahawks a playoff spot.