Giants HC Brian Daboll clarifies Drew Lock will be benched whenever Daniel Jones is ‘healthy’

Brian Daboll does not consider starting quarterback Daniel Jones responsible for the regression last season.

Giants HC Brian Daboll clarifies Drew Lock will be benched whenever Daniel Jones is ‘healthy’

Drew Lock, Brian Daboll and Daniel Jones (Via SI/NY Times/Imago)

With all the rumors swirling around the league about Daniel Jones being dethroned from the starting position at the New York Giants, their head coach made it clear nothing sort of this has happened or would happen in the near future. For the Giants, their starting quarterback is Jones despite the fact that he may not start week 1. 

Jones, who sustained a serious torn ACL injury in week 9 of the 2023 regular season, hasn’t yet recovered completely. Sources say he’s not been cleared to play in the first week of the next season, which is set to begin in September 2024. 

Given that, the Giants have signed former Denver Broncos quarterback Drew Lock this offseason in a one-year contract, who is likely to take over the starting job until Jones returns. HC Brian Daboll confirmed the news to NFL Network’s Insider Tom Pelissero on Saturday. 

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Daboll said:

We’re excited to have Drew [Lock], and he knows what his role is going to be. He’s going to get a lot of reps this spring, he needs to learn our system, but again excited to get Daniel back, when he gets back he’ll be the guy.
Brian Daboll said

Even though the Giants didn’t finish last season with a winning record, Daboll does not consider starting quarterback Jones responsible for the regression. For now, they are giving Jones the ample amount of time to recover properly and take the lead again. 

Related: Daniel Jones’ injury history reportedly could be the reason Giants move on from him in near future despite $160 million contract

The Giants’ positive approach to Saquon Barkley’s departure

The Giants are not only entering the 2024 season sans their starting quarterback but they are also without star running back Saquon Barkley. He signed with the divisional rivals Philadelphia Eagles this offseason as a free agent. 

Saquon Barkley Giants Philadelphia Eagles
Saquon Barkley (Via Imago)

Although fans didn’t appreciate Barkley’s offseason move, head coach Daboll clarified that the team does not hold any grudges against the running back as he understands how today’s NFL works. Daboll had said:

I've got a tremendous amount of respect for Saquon and all the players that went on to other places.
Brian Daboll said

However, one may believe the Giants’ head coach’s opinion may change after next season if, after Barkley’s addition, the Eagles conclude a winning season but the Giants continue struggling due to the absence of Jones. Perhaps, now it’s in Jones’ hands to not let down his team or coach next season.

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