New York Giants release quarterback Daniel Jones at his request, marking a significant shift for the team. Co-owner John Mara confirmed the decision on Friday, stating that Jones approached him seeking a release from the organization.
“Daniel came to see me this morning and asked if we would release him. We mutually agreed that would be best for him and for the team,” Mara expressed. “Daniel has been a great representative of our organization, first class in every way. His handling of this situation yesterday exemplifies just that. We are all disappointed in how things have worked out.”
Mara emphasized the organization’s respect for Jones, stating, “We hold Daniel in high regard and have a great appreciation for him. We wish him nothing but the best in the future.”
Jones was benched earlier this week in favor of Tommy DeVito following the Giants’ disappointing 2-8 start. Before his benching, he had accumulated 2,070 passing yards, eight touchdowns, and seven interceptions, achieving a passer rating of 79.4 while completing 63.3% of his passes. Additionally, he rushed for 265 yards and two touchdowns.
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At the time of his release, Jones was in the second year of a four-year, $160 million contract, which included $92 million guaranteed. The decision to release him has no financial impact on the Giants, and he is eligible to sign with another NFL team after clearing waivers, as reported by The Athletic.
Giants head coach Brian Daboll spoke with the media about his conversation with Jones, describing it as a “really good talk.” Daboll praised Jones for being “nothing but a pro” throughout the process.
In an unexpected move, Jones was seen taking practice reps as a safety, indicating the team’s willingness to explore different roles. The Giants recently signed veteran quarterback Tim Boyle, who is expected to serve as the emergency quarterback behind Drew Lock, the newly signed backup.
Daniel Jones was drafted sixth overall by the Giants in the 2019 NFL Draft from Duke University. Over his six seasons with the team, he helped lead them to the playoffs and reached the NFC divisional round in 2022. However, his tenure was marked by a challenging regular-season record of 24-44-1 and a 1-1 postseason record.
