New York Giants could bench Daniel Jones due to contract clause, per insider

Kevin Hickey

New York Giants could bench Daniel Jones due to contract clause, per insider image

The New York Giants are supporting Daniel Jones as the starting quarterback right now, but things could change dramatically in the future.

Coming off a torn ACL and a disastrous performance in Week 1 that led to a 28-6 blowout loss at home, many are already calling for Jones to be replaced.

While the Giants gave Jones a vote of confidence entering the Week 2 matchup against the Washington Commanders stating he's the starting quarterback, a clause in his contract could complicate things down the road.

According to Adam Schefter of ESPN, Jones has a $23 million injury guarantee in his contract for the 2025 season that becomes fully guaranteed "if he gets injured and is unable to pass a physical in the offseason."

In recent seasons, that type of contract clause has forced some teams into making a change at quarterback later in the season to save themselves from a potential injury and subsequent payout.

Just last season, the Denver Broncos benched Russell Wilson in order to avoid a potential injury. Similar situations have happened with Jimmy Garoppolo and the Las Vegas Raiders, Matt Ryan and the Indianapolis Colts and Derek Carr with the Raiders in recent seasons.

Jones hasn't exactly been the picture of health, either. He's coming off a torn ACL and has missed 17 games since the start of the 2021 season.

Schefter reported that the Giants aren't at that spot yet where they feel the need to make a dramatic decision like that with Jones but also that if the sixth-year quarterback doesn't play better, "New York would be expected to be forced to consider a similar decision."

The Giants don't have many better options at their disposal in replacement of Jones. Drew Lock is a solid backup quarterback but has never proven to be much more than a spot starter while Tommy DeVito has flashed but is best suited for an emergency situation.

It already feels like a long season for the Giants, and it appears the drama is far from over.

MORE GIANTS
How to watch Giants vs. Commanders
Giants vs. Commanders picks, predictions in Week 2
Giants named trade suitor for former Pro Bowl quarterback

Kevin Hickey

Kevin Hickey Photo

Hickey was previously the managing editor of USA Today's Colts Wire. His work is also featured as a fantasy football analyst for The Huddle. A career .232 hitter, he is an avid reader of Spider-Man comics, an admirer of the James Webb Space Telescope, and a keen enthusiast of Ma’s sauce. You can find him on Twitter/X @KevinHickey11