Giants agree to cut Jones: Best for QB and team

The Giants (2-8) benched Jones on Monday in favor of Tommy DeVito. Jones said Thursday during his first comments since the benching that he wanted to remain the starter, but the team told him that with its record, it wanted to make a change at this point of the season, regardless of whether he was willing to address his $23 million injury guarantee.

DeVito will make his first start of the season Sunday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. An undrafted rookie last year, DeVito won three games as a starter in 2023, but he had spent this season as the third-stringer behind Jones and Drew Lock.

Jones will go through waivers, though it is unlikely a team would pick up the rest of the four-year, $160 million contract he signed in March 2023. It would cost a claiming team close to $12 million for the remainder of the season.

But Jones is likely to be signed after clearing waivers. He said Thursday, in what was essentially his goodbye news conference, that he was “excited for the next opportunity.”

“There have been some great times, but of course we all wish there had been more of those,” Jones said in a statement. “I take full responsibility for my part in not bringing more wins. Nobody 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 results.

“The reality of the NFL is it’s hard to win games. It requires consistent performance for everyone involved. We didn’t do that well enough, so the idea to change something happens and I understand. I love the game, I love being part of the team. I’m excited for the next opportunity. I know there is a lot of good football in front of me, and I’m excited about that.”

The Giants would have been on the hook for $23 million if Jones were to sustain a serious injury and not be able to pass a physical early next year. It was a risk they were not willing to take. It’s why Jones did very little at practice this week, aside from being a scout team safety during a walk-through period Thursday.

“Well, I’ve got the injury guarantee. So that’s that,” Jones said. “I understand it. They don’t want to take any risks. At that point, it’s just do as you’re told.”

The Giants’ locker room seemed to know Jones’ departure was coming.

New York will take on more than $22.2 million in dead money with the move next season.

It took four days to get from Jones being benched to cut. The veteran quarterback could be seen getting emotional while speaking about the situation Thursday, knowing his time in New York was inevitably coming to an end.

“This was not an easy situation when things happen like this,” Daboll said. “Again, he came in [Friday] morning and talked to Mr. Mara. They had their discussion. We talked. Thought it was best for him to be able to do that. He put a lot into it. He’s a great young man. It’s never easy.”

Jones had been the Giants’ starting quarterback for much of the past six years, leading New York to the playoffs and a wild-card win in 2022. It earned him the lucrative contract. But he had eight touchdown passes with seven interceptions this season and was 3-13 as the starter since signing his new contract.

“We hold Daniel in high regard and have a great appreciation for him,” Mara said. “We wish him nothing but the best in the future.”