Daniel Jones Waived by Giants, Eyes Playoff Contender for Fresh Start
It’s official: former New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones is on the move. According to league sources, Jones is expected to clear waivers on Monday and could land with a new team on a one-year deal shortly after. The news comes as no surprise, but it’s a pivotal moment for the former first-round pick as he looks to revive his career elsewhere.
Here’s the deal: no team is expected to claim the remaining balance of Jones’ hefty contract. That includes $11,833,333 for this season and a staggering $23 million in injury guarantees for the future. Once the waiver period ends at 4 p.m. ET on Monday, Jones will officially become a free agent, free to sign with any team willing to take a chance on him.
Jones, who was waived by the Giants on Saturday, is reportedly drawing interest from multiple teams. However, sources say the quarterback is likely to prioritize joining a playoff-contending team. After all, who wouldn’t want to be part of meaningful games in December and January rather than languishing on a struggling, quarterback-needy squad with no postseason hopes?
How It All Fell Apart in New York
The Giants made their intentions clear last Friday, announcing their decision to part ways with Jones. The move officially ended his five-plus seasons with the team. Giants owner John Mara described the decision as a mutual agreement, stating it was “best for him and for the team.”
Things unraveled quickly for Jones after the Giants informed him earlier in the week that he was being benched. With Tommy DeVito taking over as the starter, Drew Lock as the backup, and newly signed Tim Boyle as the third-string option, Jones was effectively removed from the depth chart. The Giants weren’t about to risk an injury that could trigger his future guarantees.
In a surprising twist, Jones even took individual reps and played scout-team safety during a walkthrough practice on Thursday. By Friday, he had requested and been granted his release. It was a swift and unceremonious end to his time in New York.
Not the First Time This Has Happened
If this scenario feels familiar, that’s because it is. Similar situations have played out across the NFL in recent years:
- Last season, the Denver Broncos benched Russell Wilson to avoid triggering a $37 million guarantee for 2024.
- The Las Vegas Raiders benched Jimmy Garoppolo to avoid an $11.25 million injury guarantee.
- In 2022, the Indianapolis Colts benched Matt Ryan to avoid paying a $7.5 million roster bonus.
- Later that year, the Raiders benched Derek Carr to avoid $32.9 million in salary guarantees for 2023 and $7.5 million for 2024.
Now, it’s Jones’ turn to navigate this tricky NFL business reality. The Giants have expedited their “divorce” with the quarterback, and he’ll be free to find a new home as early as next week.
Where Will Jones Land?
While multiple playoff-contending teams are expected to inquire about Jones, one team that likely won’t be in the mix is the Philadelphia Eagles. The Eagles already signed former Giants running back Saquon Barkley, who was selected second overall by the Giants in the 2018 draft—one year before Jones was taken with the sixth overall pick.
Barkley, a two-time Pro Bowler, has remained close with Jones and had nothing but praise for his former teammate. “Our friendship has stayed close throughout the whole process of me being here,” Barkley told reporters on Friday. “It sucks to see how everything went down for him over there. I’ve got nothing but great things to say about him. You’re not going to really find anybody that can say negative things about him.”
Barkley added, “It’s the NFL. Hopefully, wherever he ends up next, they’re going to get a guy who’ll come in and work. It didn’t work for me over there, and I’m doing well over here. Hopefully, he can find the same fresh start and success.”
For Jones, the next chapter is about finding the right fit. Whether it’s as a starter or a backup, he’ll be looking for a team that can offer him a chance to compete—and maybe even a shot at redemption in the playoffs. Stay tuned, because this story is far from over.
Originally Written by: Adam Schefter
