Hogs Haven
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The Giants had chances to draft a first-round quarterback this year, but passed. Now they’re in last place and staring down another lost season with Daniel Jones under center.
Jones told reporters after the game that he was “frustrated” by his benching. He was not alone in feeling that way. Rookie wide receiver Malik Nabers told reporters that day that he “was open,” despite managing only four catches for 41 yards.
For the Giants, another season is slipping away. They’re in last place in the NFC East at 2-5 and will take a two-game losing streak into Monday night’s game in Pittsburgh. Jones is the NFL’s 26th-rated passer and the Giants are ranked 28th in the league in total offense. They’re averaging a feeble 14.1 points per game.
On draft night, the Giants chose sixth overall. Three prized quarterbacks already had been taken by that point — Caleb Williams at No. 1 by the Chicago Bears, Jayden Daniels at No. 2 by the Washington Commanders and Drake Maye at No. 3 by the New England Patriots. J.J. McCarthy, Michael Penix Jr. and Bo Nix remained available.
But the Giants went with Nabers. Penix went eighth to the Atlanta Falcons. McCarthy went 10th to the Minnesota Vikings. Nix went 12th to the Denver Broncos. That matched the draft record for quarterbacks selected in the opening round with six.
The Giants counted on Jones to come back from last season’s injury and be a franchise quarterback. To this point, it’s not working out.
The door is now cracked opened. New York Giants coach Brian Daboll tried to slam it shut after last week’s loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, but it won’t ever sit flush again — not now that he benched quarterback Daniel Jones in the fourth quarter Sunday.
The Giants (2-5) are in no-man’s land with their season and quarterback situation. While Jones reclaimed the starting job, it didn’t appear he was given any assurances about remaining the starter.
“I think after the game, he said to the team that I was the starter going forward,” Jones said. “So, I’m going through the week preparing to play and play well. But in terms of his plans, it’s a better question for him.”
At this point, remaining the starter for the rest of the season is in question.
Daboll was asked directly if he felt the need to provide Jones any reassurances.
“Yeah, I would say we’ve had conversations,” he said. “Those would be private conversations, and our focus is on getting ready to play Pittsburgh.”
So ... no? It certainly wasn’t a yes.
It seems obvious the Giants are preparing to draft a quarterback next offseason. In the meantime, they...
