Daniel Jones, the New York Giants‘ $160 million quarterback, has taken an unexpected turn in his NFL journey. During Thursday’s practice, Jones was spotted playing as a scout-team safety a role far removed from the starting position he held earlier in the season. This surprising move comes just days after Jones was demoted to third or fourth on the quarterback depth chart, raising questions about his future with the team.
While Jones participated in individual passing drills alongside practice-squad QB Tim Boyle, his stint as a scout-team defender during the offensive install period stood out. Typically, offensive players not scheduled to play on Sunday might assist in such drills. However, seeing a high-priced player in this role highlights the awkward dynamics currently at play within the Giants‘ camp.
Daniel Jones, mariscal de campo de los Giants, se cae solo cuando iba a anotar un touchdown
Why Is Jones on the scout team?
The decision to reduce Jones‘ practice involvement stems from financial concerns. His contract includes a $23 million injury guarantee that could significantly impact the Giants‘ salary cap if triggered. If Jones cannot pass a physical by March 12, the team’s dead-cap charge for cutting him would rise from $22.2 million to a staggering $45.2 million.
Head coach Brian Daboll downplayed the situation, explaining the practice setup: “Those guys are handing off.” Still, the optics of Jones being fourth in practice reps behind new starter Tommy DeVito, veteran backup Drew Lock, and Tim Boyle are hard to ignore.
Jones speaks out
For the first time since his benching, Jones addressed the media after practice, emphasizing his focus on staying ready for any opportunity. Meanwhile, the Giants continue to navigate the complexities of managing their quarterback roster.
Drew Lock, who many expected to become the starter, has been relegated to running the scout-team offense as QB2. Instead, undrafted rookie Tommy DeVito took over starting duties, adding another layer of intrigue to the team’s decision-making process.
The Giants‘ handling of Jones reflects a delicate balancing act between safeguarding their financial future and maintaining competitive performance on the field. Whether this signals the end of Jones‘ tenure in New York remains uncertain, but for now, the quarterback’s $160 million contract looms large over the franchise’s plans.
