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New York Giants co-owner John Mara refrained from making a firm commitment to quarterback Daniel Jones beyond this season.
“I’m not going to get into that,” Mara said to CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones when asked specifically about the injury guarantee in the QB’s contract.
Jones noted the Giants signal-caller has no more guaranteed salary in his deal beyond 2024. That would change if he’s unable to pass a physical in March due to an injury he suffered this year. In that case, he’d have $12 million become fully guaranteed, with another $11 million going his way if he can’t pass a physical once the season arrives.
That potentially presents a situation where the Giants demote Jones and keep him on the sideline to ensure his injury guarantee doesn’t get triggered. The New Orleans Saints and Denver Broncos utilized that approach with Derek Carr and Russell Wilson respectively before each made a quarterback change in the offseason.
Jones was benched in the fourth quarter of the Giants’ 28-3 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 7, which dropped the team’s record to 2-5. He had thrown for 99 yards, no touchdowns and no interceptions on 14-of-21 passing while also sustaining seven sacks before exiting the game.
Giants head coach Brian Daboll declared that the team would stick with Jones for its Week 8 matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers and he will continue to receive the first-team reps in practice over backup Drew Lock.
“I think he gives us the best chance, number one,” Daboll said of Jones. “I thought there were a lot of plays that he did exactly what he needed to do, and then look, there were some plays where it wasn’t just on Daniel. It was a collection of things. It wasn’t just one person, a protection or a route.”
Through seven games, Jones has thrown for 1,442 yards, six touchdowns and four interceptions. The Giants entered the year with low expectations, but he’s done little to elevate the team. His $41.6 million cap hit for the 2025 season makes him a potential cut candidate this offseason.