Giants finally decide to bench Daniel Jones owing to his underwhelming record, Tommy DeVito to start
The New York Giants, who are 2-8 to the 2024 regular season with 1% chance to qualify for the postseason, made changes after bye week.
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Tommy DeVito (L), Daniel Jones (R) (Images via Imago/Fox Illinois)
The New York Giants benched $160 million quarterback Daniel Jones ahead of their Week 10 home game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Big Blue are currently the worst-performing team in the National Football Conference with barely two wins from ten games.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Tommy DeVito is set to take over as the starting quarterback, replacing Drew Lock. This decision comes despite Lock stepping in for Jones during New York’s 28-3 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in October.
Daniel Jones has failed to deliver as the high-payout quarterback the team expected this season. The quarterback who started the season with boos and jersey immolation, is ranked 32nd out of 36 qualified quarterbacks in terms of passer rating. The data compiled by Pro Football Reference also has Jones ranked 29th in QBR.
Through 10 starts, Jones has completed 63.3% of his passes, accumulating 2,070 yards, eight touchdowns, and seven interceptions. He has also contributed on the ground with 265 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns. The last nail in the coffin was the humiliating loss in Munich against the Carolina Panthers.
Although the primary reason remains his inability to produce results, there is an additional factor that the Giants management gained after benching Jones. Currently, Jones’ contract contains no guaranteed money after the 2024 season. However, he is eligible for a $23 million injury guarantee for the 2025 season if he fails a physical in March.
The current decision has reduced the chance of Jones triggering the guarantee. Benching him now reduces the likelihood of triggering that guarantee. Although it is not a financial concern, NFL teams have previously used this as a money saving tool.
New York Giants make a shocking move to start Tommy DeVito over Drew Lock
In usual cases, the backup quarterback, here Drew Lock, takes the field in case the QB1 is injured or benched. Thence, it comes as a huge surprise as the Giants reportedly want Tommy DeVito to start for the four-time Super Bowl winners.
The Giants, who have barely a single percent chance of qualifying as per ESPN, could be looking to appease the fans. DeVito, born in Livingston, New Jersey, is a fan favorite alongside his agent who developed a pop culture interest last year. The 188m 26-year-old even played for Syracuse Orange after declining offers from Yale, and Boston College among others.
Earlier, in the pre-season training camp, there was some excitement from a couple of fans from his college days who wanted DeVito to start.
Now in his second year, DeVito is still working to establish himself in the league. In 2023, he demonstrated his potential by winning three consecutive games. DeVito had his standout performance against Washington where he threw for 246 yards and three touchdowns.
Despite his performance, the Giants relegated him to the third quarterback role during the offseason after signing Drew Lock as a free agent and guaranteeing Lock $5 million.
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Mohammed Bazim
(406 Articles Published)