Brian Daboll and company have three weeks to decide if Daniel Jones will be their guy in 2023.
It’s a difficult situation.
New regime steps in and says the right things about a young signal-caller whose had to deal with a lot of challenges in his three years as a pro.
He’s got a bright future. He has all the tools.
“He’s athletic, he’s got good arm strength, he’s played some good football in this league. His makeup is going to allow him to reach whatever his ceiling is,” GM Joe Schoen told media during a press conference in early March.
Ok, sure.
The tough part is that words – and film tape from a career 12-25 quarterback – are pretty much going to be all these guys have when it comes to deciding whether or not Jones’ fifth year option.
Between now and the May decision date, there’s no chance to get Jones on the field.
No games.
Not even a scrimmage.
But they may just have to do it.
The $22 million cost will be little more than a year of expensive insurance.
If the Giants pass on it and Jones has a solid year, he’s off to free agency and the highest bidder.
Or, the Giants are forced to tag him – at a way bigger cost: $34 million.
Given that Jones is all but a lock to be the Giants’ starter on Week 1, the 5th year option is the smart move, Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio told Mike Golic on NBC Sports earlier this month.
“If he does well, that falls into the ‘Good problem to have,’ category,” Florio said, noting it would also buy the team another year of evaluation without having to get into a bidding war with other teams.
Can’t argue there.
Plus, if anyone can get Jones to turn it around Daboll just may be the guy to do it.
Josh Allen’s ascent to Pro Bowl status has been well-documented.
What’s less so is that Allen’s terrible rookie year would’ve been worse (7 TD, 12 Int, and a 65 QBR) if he didn’t add three more touchdowns to that total during a Week 17 matchup against an Adam Gase-led Dolphins team that didn’t show up to play at season’s end.
Jones never had a season that bad.
Sure, he may never be much better.
But for 2023, the Giants best move might be to ignore that real possibility – and exercise that 5th year option.
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