New York Giants legend Eli Manning believes Daniel Jones is still capable of leading the team despite his struggles during the 2023 season.
Speaking to reporters at a charity event, Manning said Jones “has the mindset” to be a successful quarterback for the Giants:
“He had a rough start (to last year). A lot of quarterbacks have had it. Obviously with the injuries, it’s not fun, but I know he’s determined. I know he wants to be in New York. It’s not an easy place to play but he has the mindset. He has the mentality. I know he’ll do everything possible to get back and to get back to playing at a high level.”
There was a lot of optimism for Jones and the Giants coming into this season. They were a pleasant surprise in 2022 with a 9-7-1 record and won a playoff game for the first time since Super Bowl 46 in February 2012.
Things never came together for Jones or the team in 2023. He threw two touchdowns, six interceptions and was limited to six games due to injuries, including a torn ACL suffered in Week 9 that ended his season.
The Giants finished 6-11 with the offense and defense ranking in the bottom seven in the NFL in points scored and allowed per game.
It would seem likely the Giants might want to pursue another quarterback, either as a starter or at least someone who can compete with Jones next season.
General manager Joe Schoen told reporters in November the “expectation” is Jones will be the starter going into next season, but many things can change during the offseason.
They will have a difficult time moving on from him after signing him to a four-year, $160 million contract in March 2023. He has a $69.3 million dead cap hit in 2024, though that number could be spread out over two years if he were to be designated as a post-June 1 cut.
Kirk Cousins, Ryan Tannehill and Baker Mayfield are the top potential free agents. Russell Wilson could join that group if he is released by the Denver Broncos.
The Giants do own the sixth pick in the draft. It’s too low to land one of the very top-level quarterbacks like Caleb Williams and Drake Maye, but they could have a shot at Jayden Daniels, Bo Nix or J.J. McCarthy if they really like any of them as prospects at that spot.
Another solution would be to keep Jones and draft a wide receiver who can help ease some of the pressure on him.
There aren’t easy answers for the Giants right now, but they have two months before the offseason really kicks into gear with free agency and the draft before needing to figure out what their plan is going to be.
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