Stephen A. Smith trolls the Giants for overpaying Daniel Jones after $14 million Colts move

Daniel Jones is reportedly joining the AFC South team Indianapolis Colts, eyeing a potential starting role ahead of Anthony Richardson.

Stephen A. Smith trolls the Giants for overpaying Daniel Jones after $14 million Colts move

Stephen A. Smith, Daniel Jones (Images via Variety/WISH TV)

Free agent quarterback Daniel Jones is nearing a one-year, $14 million agreement with the Indianapolis Colts, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. The deal, which is expected to be finalized soon, positions Jones as a direct competitor to 2023 first-round pick Anthony Richardson for the Colts’ starting quarterback role in the upcoming season.

Jones’ departure from New York came after a challenging 2024 season. Following a disappointing 2-8 start, the Giants organization opted to demote him to third on the depth chart.

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The demotion was primarily to avoid the risk of injury, which could have triggered guaranteed money in future years of his contract. He was eventually released and he joined the Vikings for the rest of the season.

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The key highlight of Daniel Jones’ career was the 2022 season when he won the NFL Comeback Player of the Year award and a whopping four-year, $160 million contract. The deal amount has resurfaced once again as the Colts look forward to signing him for less than half of his average annual salary.

ESPN analyst Stephen A. Smith laid into the New York Giants General Manager Joe Schoen for his ill management of Daniel Jones and his poor decision-making.

That’s about right, for Daniel Jones.. Not $40 MILLION, like the damn Giants did with Mr. Shame himself—that’s what I call [Giants GM Joe] Schoen—I said S-H-A-M-E, because of how he acted with Saquon Barkley on national television. When they had the cameras rolling, and he was so dismissive and disrespectful and then Saquon goes out and balls out. I call him ‘Shame’. 

Stephen A. Smith said via First Take

Joe Schoen has been at the bitter end of scathing comments from the media for his handling of Saquon Barkley. Ironically enough, Barkley was let go to keep Daniel Jones, and look how that transpired for the Big Blue.

Barkley eventually ended up being a Super Bowl champion after breaking several rushing records in his championship path. Meanwhile, the Big Blue finished with just three wins and ranked top three in the upcoming draft.

Stephen A. Smith is happy with Daniel Jones’ approach to the league

Daniel Jones, 27, is finalizing a one-year contract with the Indianapolis Colts that could be worth up to $17.7 million, according to NFL insiders. The deal includes $13.15 million in guaranteed money, a $6 million signing bonus, and an additional $850,000 in active roster bonuses.

Daniel Jones
Daniel Jones (Image via Heavy.com)

Stephen A. Smith admitted that the new deal doesn’t bother him and lauded him for his very fiscally thought trade.

Just like Darnold last year with Minnesota, one year and $10 million, you go to Indianapolis one year and $14 million. And show that you belong in this league, before you get another damn dime. I like that. Doesn’t bother me.

Stephen A. Smith added

However, Smith also gave some genuine comments on the 27-year-old. Speaking on First Take, Smith began his assessment with, “Let’s call it what it is,” making it clear that despite the praise for his approach to a new contract, there are some doubts about his professional capabilities.

“I’m not rooting against him or anything like that, but the fact of the matter is he hasn’t shown much,” Smith stated. He even recalled a low point in Jones’ career — the infamous moment when the quarterback stumbled untouched on a clear path to the end zone during a game with the New York Giants.

As for Jones, the Colts could be the moment like Vikings was Sam Darnold, where he could change the narrative he’s been spoken on for the past two years or so.

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