In East Rutherford, the fate of the New York Giants' starting quarterback position has been a topic of intense discussion. Daniel Jones' $23 million injury guarantee was undoubtedly a significant factor in his exit from the role. However, the decision to bench him on Monday morning was a complex one, influenced not only by financial considerations but also by on-field performance.

Unraveling the Giants' QB Dilemma

Financial Implications and the QB Decision

The Giants' decision to turn the starting job over to Tommy DeVito was not a simple one. There are always financial implications when it comes to such decisions, and this case was no exception. Under Daniel Jones' contract, essentially a two-year deal worth $82 million guaranteed with an out prior to next season, he was scheduled to make $30.5 million in 2025. This financial aspect played a role in the decision-making process. However, on-field performance became impossible to ignore. The Giants had spent Daboll's entire tenure trying to put Jones in a position to succeed based on hope, but at 2-8, it was clear that their devotion to him had to end.

Jones had posted career highs in passing yards (3,205), completion percentage (67.2%), and passer rating (92.5) during the 2022 season, Daboll's first. He was outstanding in the playoff victory in Minnesota against the 13-win Vikings. But the following week in Philadelphia, the Giants were crushed, and it became evident that a change was needed. Since signing that deal, the Giants have only won three of the 16 games he has started. He missed three games with a neck injury last year and then tore his ACL upon returning.

Evaluating Tommy DeVito's Potential

The Giants coaches watched a bunch of plays from this season and saw far more plays that Jones missed or ones on which he made a mistake. They believed that if they had a different quarterback who could make those plays, they'd be a more productive offense. And they have a better idea of what DeVito can do in this offense. He has experience from last season, which gives Daboll a certain comfort level.

DeVito sells out sub shops in North Jersey and younger fans love him. Fans of Italian heritage also have a soft spot for him. His presence will be better received than Jones would have been. But it's important to note that this is not the sole reason for his starting role. The Giants are looking for a quarterback who can lead them to victory, and they believe DeVito has the potential to do that.

The Impact on the Team and the Future

Making this decision was not easy for the Giants. They had to consider the impact on the team and the future. The Giants will gain $19.395 million of 2025 salary cap space by releasing a healthy Jones prior to March 16 without using a post-June 1 designation. There would be $22 million in dead money, but the team believes that this is a necessary step to move forward.

For the first time in six seasons, the future of the Giants at quarterback is someone other than Daniel Jones. This is a significant change for the team, and they are hoping that DeVito can lead them to better results. The coaches and management have put a lot of thought into this decision and are confident that it is the right one for the team.