The New York Giants released quarterback Daniel Jones Friday morning after benching the longtime starter ahead of Week 12.
Jones spoke to reporters Thursday in what sounded like a farewell to his time in New York, referring to his time there in the past tense. Giants owner John Mara said in a statement that Jones ‘asked if we would release him’ Friday morning and ‘we mutually agreed that would be best for him and for the team.’
Jones, the No. 6 overall pick in the 2019 NFL draft, started 70 games over the last five and a half seasons in New York. He went 24-44-1 in that span, highlighted by a playoff berth in 2022 that ended in the NFC Divisional playoffs.
Now, the former top pick is a free agent. Here’s where he could end up.
Daniel Jones landing spots
Los Angeles Rams
The Rams have former starter Jimmy Garoppolo currently backing up starter Matthew Stafford. Jones is six years younger, has more starting experience and is a more talented passer than Garoppolo or third-stringer Stetson Bennett. Sean McVay’s system is quarterback-friendly and Jones could be a backup for the aging Stafford for the time being. He could follow what Sam Darnold did in San Francisco and spend some time with the creator of a widespread coaching tree to revive his career.
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Denver Broncos
Jones’ best season was that 2022 playoff run. In that first season under coach Brian Daboll, Jones was throwing mostly short and intermediate passes, as shown by this passing chart on one of his better games that season, via Next Gen Stats.
The Broncos employed a similar strategy at the beginning of the season as rookie Bo Nix made his first NFL starts. They’ve expanded to include more deep passing concepts as the season’s worn on, but Jones could work into it over time. He could also spend time with one of the more creative offensive minds in the NFL in Sean Payton. He’d at least be a serviceable backup as the Broncos continue their playoff run and into next season.
Dallas Cowboys
Carolina Panthers
The Panthers are seeing better play on offense in recent weeks after Bryce Young was benched for a few weeks. Andy Dalton is a solid backup but that should not keep the franchise from bringing in a new face if possible. The Panthers have a corps of young pass catchers in Xavier Legette, Jalen Coker and Ja’Tavion Sanders and a solid offensive line. Head coach Dave Canales revived the careers of Geno Smith and Baker Mayfield as an offensive coordinator in Seattle and Tampa Bay, respectively. He could do so with Jones if Young regresses and the Panthers need options at quarterback.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Buccaneers have been hit hard by injuries this season. Despite losing Chris Godwin for the season and Mike Evans for a month and a half, Tampa Bay nearly beat Kansas City on the road in Week 9. The Buccaneers boast the No. 5 scoring offense entering Week 12 thanks to offensive coordinator Liam Coen, who is a potential head coaching candidate for his work this season. Coen is notably leaning into his players’ strengths this season, keeping the offense from losing steam without Godwin or Evans. He could find ways to maximize Jones.