Daniel Jones 'wasn't fired up' about Giants' QB flirtations within the NFL Draft

by Christina S. Brown
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Daniel Jones knew what the New York Giants have been making an attempt to do on the primary night time of the 2024 NFL Draft. He knew they have been making an attempt to commerce up and draft his eventual successor. They have been sincere about their intentions. He understood why it was taking place.

However that does not imply he was glad about it.

“I imply, I wasn’t fired up about it,” Jones mentioned after apply on Thursday afternoon. “However I believe it is a part of it at this stage. What I can do is deal with myself and getting wholesome, play the perfect soccer I can play, and that I do know I am able to enjoying. That is my job and that is what I will do.”

That is just about all of the Giants’ incumbent beginning quarterback can do in the intervening time, as he continues to work his approach again from the torn ACL he suffered early final season. That harm, together with two accidents to his neck in three seasons, is a giant purpose why the Giants had their eyes on quarterbacks within the draft. It did not assist that within the six video games Jones did play final season, he was largely terrible.

It was no secret that Giants normal supervisor Joe Schoen spent the offseason scouting, researching and visiting with all the highest quarterbacks within the draft whereas Jones was busy making an attempt to get wholesome. And within the days main as much as the primary spherical, Schoen made a number of makes an attempt to commerce up from the Giants’ decide at No. 6, in line with workforce and league sources, within the hopes of touchdown Drake Maye, the quarterback who was chosen third total by the New England Patriots.

As soon as that effort failed, the Giants stayed at 6 the place they may have taken a quarterback like J.J. McCarthy, Bo Nix and Michael Penix Jr. As a substitute, they grabbed receiver Malik Nabers — the form of weapon Jones, who turns 27 on Monday, hasn’t had at any level in his five-year profession.

“I wasn’t positive what was going to occur or the way it was going to play out. I used to be simply watching and ready to see like everyone else,” Jones mentioned. “However I am fired as much as get Malik. I watched a few of his tape in school. He is a dynamic, dynamic participant.”

Nabers might be precisely what Jones must jumpstart his profession and win again the total belief of the Giants group. The quarterback would possibly solely be getting into the second yr of the four-year, $160 million deal he signed in March 2023, however Schoen’s flirtation with Maye made it clear that he is not less than open to the thought of changing Jones within the close to future.

A poor season by Jones would nearly actually drive the Giants’ hand. They’ll get out of his contract after the season and soak up solely a $22.2 million hit in “useless cash.” And if Jones struggles, the Giants will seemingly be choosing excessive sufficient within the 2025 draft to contemplate the out there quarterbacks once more.

Jets and Giants journey internationally after schedule launch

Jets and Giants travel internationally after schedule release

They may try this anyway, even when Jones performs nicely. When requested if he felt just like the Giants have been dedicated to him for the long-term, Jones did not actually reply. He mentioned solely “I be ok with the place we’re going. I be ok with this workforce. My job is to get wholesome and play good soccer.”

If nothing else, he does appear to be on his approach in the direction of getting wholesome. He’s a restricted participant within the Giants’ offseason practices. He took snaps within the 7-on-7 drills with the media in attendance on Thursday. That is all he is cleared to do, although. His new backup, Drew Lock, received the first-team reps when the drills switched to 11-on-11.

Six months after present process surgical procedure on his proper knee, Jones mentioned he “feels good” and that his rehab course of has been “clean” and on schedule. He mentioned he is pushing to be totally cleared by the beginning of coaching camp in late July and when requested if he expects to be prepared for the regular-season opener in September, he mentioned “I haven’t got any doubt about it proper now.”

Past that, although, there are many doubts on the surface about simply how lengthy Jones will stay the Giants’ franchise quarterback. And although he insisted he wasn’t bothered by the Giants’ wandering eyes — “I do not suppose you may take something personally at this stage,” he mentioned — he understands the scenario he is going through.

And he is aware of what he has to do.

“I all the time really feel like I’ve rather a lot to show,” Jones mentioned. “I am motivated, I am doing every little thing I can to be able to go.”

Ralph Vacchiano is the NFC East reporter for FOX Sports activities, protecting the Washington Commanders, Philadelphia Eagles and New York Giants. He spent the earlier six years protecting the Giants and Jets for SNY TV in New York, and earlier than that, 16 years protecting the Giants and the NFL for the New York Every day Information. Observe him Twitter at @RalphVacchiano.


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