Report: Giants make decision on Daniel Jones future, fifth-year option

The Giants have made a decision on what to do about quarterback Daniel Jones, and whether or not to pick up his fifth-year option. According to NFL journalist G.T. Bobby Thompson, New York won’t be picking up the option on the former Duke quarterback.

“#Giants are not expected to pick up QB Daniel Jones fifth-year option by the may deadline (@ESPN first),” tweeted Thompson.

The future of Jones has been the biggest question regarding the tough decisions facing the new brain trust in New York. Going on his third head coach and coming off a huge injury, the risk outweighs the reward of picking up Jones‘ option.

While the former Duke quarterback has shown numerous flashes, he’s also shown incompetence at times. For every beautiful touchdown pass that Jones makes, it feels like a head-scratching mistake follows. However, playing behind one of the league’s worst offensive lines has been theorized as the main culprit.

Still, it’s evident the Giants are entering a make-or-break season with Daniel Jones. If he performs well, the team could work out a long-term deal, or franchise tag the quarterback. If not, his time in New York will come to an unceremonious end.

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After the hiring of general manager Joe Schoen, Giants team president John Mara spoke about his belief in Daniel Jones.

“We do feel that Daniel can play,” stated Mara on the team’s faith in Jones. “We’ve done everything possible to screw this kid up since he’s been here. We keep changing coaches, keep changing offensive coordinators, keep changing offensive line coaches. I take a lot of responsibility for that.

“But let’s bring in the right group of coaches now and give him some continuity and try to rebuild the offensive line and then be able to make an intelligent evaluation of whether he can be the franchise quarterback or not. I have a lot of hope in Daniel, and I know how badly he wants it. I know how the players feel about him. We are certainly not giving up on him by any stretch of the imagination.”

New York has the fifth pick in the upcoming 2022 NFL Draft, and quarterbacks Matt Corral and Kenny Pickett are available if they felt the need to move on from Jones after three seasons. However, Mara’s comments appear to indicate that the Giants don’t have that option in mind just yet.

Jones has a record of 12-25 as the quarterback of the Giants while dealing with massive overturn in his coaching staff. After a seemingly impressive rookie debut, Jones has thrown only 21 touchdowns and 17 interceptions over the past two seasons.

Whether the Giants are truly on board with Jones or if they just don’t feel there’s a better quarterback or prospect available to them, Mara’s comments claim that the team’s current focus will be on coaching stability and a rebuild of their offensive line.