Giants release Daniel Jones after benching longtime starting QB

Daniel Jones expressed his thank yous and regrets to the New York Giants on Thursday in what sounded like an emotional goodbye from the quarterback to the organization following his demotion earlier in the week.

Turns out, that's exactly what it was.

Team owner John Mara announced a parting of the ways with Jones on Friday and offered a further explanation regarding the team's divorce from its 2019 first-round pick, who was expected to be the longtime successor to two-time Super Bowl MVP Eli Manning.

"Daniel came to see me this morning and asked if we would release him," Mara said in a statement.

"We mutually agreed that would be best for him and for the team. 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. We hold Daniel in high regard and have a great appreciation for him. We wish him nothing but the best in the future.”

Thus ends Jones' tenure in New York, not quite halfway through a four-year, $160 million extension he signed following what seemed like a breakout 2022 season, one that saw Big Blue advance to the divisional round of the playoffs as he played the best football of his career.

But Jones tore an ACL midway through the 2023 season and regressed to many of his poor habits in 2024, namely his penchant for turnovers. That cost him his QB1 post and, ultimately, his job.

"The opportunity to play for the New York Giants was truly a dream come true, and I'm extremely grateful to the Mara and Tisch families for the chance to play here. The Giants are truly a first-class organization, and I have nothing but genuine respect and appreciation for the people who have built it and who helped carry on that tradition," Jones said in a prepared statement to reporters Thursday.

"I've met so many special people and created relationships that will truly last a lifetime. Thank you to all my teammates, coaches and staff that have done so much for me these past six years. There have been some great times but, of course, we all wish there had been more of those. I take full responsibility for my part in not bringing more wins. No one wanted to win more games worse than me, and I gave everything I had on the field and in my preparation. Of course, this season has been disappointing for all and, of course, I wish I could have done more. I'm 100% accountable for my part. I did not play well enough, consistently enough to help the team get the results.

"The reality of the NFL is it's hard to win games, and it requires consistent performance from everyone involved. We didn't do that well enough. ... I love the game. I love being part of a team. I'm excited for the next opportunity. I know that there's a lot of good football in front of me, and I'm excited about that. To all the fans, I have deep respect and appreciation for your passion and love for the Giants. The fans are a huge part of what makes playing for the Giants so special. Thank you."

By releasing him, the Giants will incur a cap hit of more than $69 million, though Jones had no guarantees beyond this season. Other NFL clubs will have the opportunity to claim him once he hits the waiver wire, but given his salary – namely, the prorated portion of his $35.5 million base pay in 2024 – it's more likely he will reach free agency.

"I got a lot of respect for him," Giants coach Brian Daboll said of Jones on Friday.

"Like I've said, a true pro and wish him all the best."

New York is currently 2-8 and in last place in the NFC East. The team revealed this week that Tommy DeVito, who filled in as a rookie for Jones in 2023, would assume the QB1 role while veteran Drew Lock continues to serve as the backup. The addition of journeyman Tim Boyle to the practice squad made it clear the team had no intention of playing Jones again or risking the potential of triggering an additional $23 million injury guarantee.

The No. 6 overall draft pick in 2019 out of Duke, Jones closes his time with the Giants with 14,582 passing yards, 70 TD passes and 73 turnovers (47 interceptions and 26 fumbles). His career passer rating is 84.3. He also rushed for 2,179 yards and 15 TDs, his effectiveness generally at its peak when he leveraged his athleticism.

His record over 71 starts, including playoffs, is 25-45-1.

"I want to play. I want to be on the field. I tried to do as much as I could to make that possible and create a situation where we were both comfortable," Jones said when asked if he'd considered waiving his injury guarantee.

"Most of those discussions went on with my agent and with (general manager) Joe (Schoen). I want to play. I want to be on the field. But it's the unfortunate business side of the game, too."

This story has been updated with new information.

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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Daniel Jones released by Giants after former starting QB was benched