NFL Trade Rumors: New York Giants Release Quarterback Daniel Jones

The New York Giants are severing ties with their one-time franchise quarterback. According to Fox Sports NFL Insider Jordan Schultz, the Giants are releasing quarterback Daniel Jones following his benching earlier this week.

BREAKING: The #Giants are releasing QB Daniel Jones, sources tell @NFLonFOX.

I’m told Jones asked for his release and the team is granting it after his benching. pic.twitter.com/zs5YfOwOb8
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) November 22, 2024

The Giants decided they would no longer start Jones in order to avoid potentially activating a $25 million injury guarantee on his 2025 salary. Truthfully, his play merited benching: The Giants are 2-8 and have scored an NFL-worst 15.6 points per game. Per Schultz, the release is at Jones' request.

Releasing Jones could be the first domino to fall in what could be a season of significant offseason upheaval for the Giants. Head coach Brian Daboll and general manager Joe Schoen are well on their way to a second-straight losing season, and their 17-26-1 overall record will likely get worse in the weeks to come. Ownership could easily justify parting ways with both, especially given that former Giants and New England Patriots great Bill Belichick is reportedly ready to get back into coaching.

Jones suddenly becomes an intriguing commodity on the open market. Although he has struggled recently with the Giants, it's possible their roster has done him a disservice. He clearly remains an effective runner at the position: He has 2179 rushing yards since entering the league in 2019, and he's still averaging 4.0 yards per attempt this season.

Jones probably has a lot of work to do if he's going to reestablish himself as a franchise quarterback, but he could be an asset to a team in need of a new starter for the closing stretch of the season. Any team in the playoff hunt that experiences an injury to their starting quarterback should take a long look at Jones. Teams like the Indianapolis Colts, Minnesota Vikings, and Pittsburgh Steelers could also make sense if they fall out of love with their starters.