Daniel Jones Benched Amidst Giants’ Struggles: Defensive Teammate Shows Support

In a move anticipated by many, Daniel Jones, the New York Giants‘ starting quarterback, has been benched amidst the team’s ongoing struggles this season. The Giants’ current record stands at 2-8, fueling the decision to make changes in the starting lineup.

Dexter Lawrence, a standout defensive player for the Giants and a personal friend of Jones, has expressed his disagreement with the decision. «That’s my best friend,» Lawrence stated during a Campbell’s Soup «Chunky Sacks Hunger» charity event. «It’s tough for that to happen. They made the decision based on their evaluations and their thoughts and feelings.

Both Jones and Lawrence were drafted in 2019 under the Dave Gettleman era, being selected sixth and 17th overall, respectively. Since then, the duo has been integral to the Giants’ lineup. While Lawrence is considered a highly talented player with significant contributions, Jones has struggled to meet expectations this season with only eight touchdowns in 10 games alongside seven interceptions.

The Giants’ performance has drawn significant criticism, particularly directed at Jones. However, Lawrence argues for a broader perspective, suggesting that the team’s failures cannot be attributed to one player’s performance alone. «Teams lose games, not just one player, and I think that should be understood,» Lawrence remarked.

Decisions regarding personnel have not been straightforward. Coach Brian Daboll‘s choice to place Jones in the third-string position behind new starter Tommy DeVito and backup Drew Lock surprised many, including Lawrence. «You have to trust the process,» Lawrence expressed, highlighting the complexity and difficulty of such decisions.

The Giants, under Daboll and general manager Joe Schoen, seemed to have found a successful strategy during Daboll’s first season, which led to the Giants’ first postseason appearance with Jones and Lawrence. Yet, following a playoff loss to the Philadelphia Eagles at the end of the 2022 season, the team has faced a decline, managing only an 8-19 record since.

As the Giants prepare to face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, they will move forward with DeVito as the starting quarterback. Lawrence acknowledged DeVito’s confidence, stating, «He has probably the most charisma and confidence I’ve ever seen in a third-string quarterback.»

Jones, whose contract includes no more guaranteed money after this season, may be approaching the end of his tenure with the Giants. His benching marks a significant change in the Giants’ pursuit of improvement on the field.