The New York Giants’ challenging 2024 season took another unexpected turn this week as quarterback Daniel Jones was benched and demoted to third string, with rookie Tommy DeVito now named the starting quarterback moving forward. While the decision may not have come as a complete shock, it certainly stirred emotions within the organization and left players and fans alike feeling unsettled.
According to Fox Sports NFL insider Jordan Schultz, there is a sense of “disappointment” among Giants players regarding how the situation was handled, especially under the current circumstances.
Schultz shared on social media Tuesday night that he had received a phone call from one of the Giants’ offensive players, who expressed frustration with how the decision unfolded.
“Sources: There is ‘disappointment’ among some Giants players regarding how the Daniel Jones situation was handled over the past week, especially with players aware it was primarily a financial decision by the organization,” Schultz wrote.
He continued, sharing a direct quote from an anonymous offensive player: “We’re not idiots. They did it because of money. So be it. But Daniel has been all class, never complained, and is now being completely disregarded. The TEAM record is bad. You can point fingers everywhere. To try to blame him is trash, and making him third string is weak as fu**.” The player made it clear that Jones has always shown professionalism, even during difficult times, and he suggested that the organization’s handling of the situation was lacking in both respect and transparency.
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Schultz went on to describe the broader sentiment within the team, adding that the discontent wasn’t limited to just a few players. “The sense I’ve gotten from multiple sources — players, coaches, and executives — is that the issues within the organization go far beyond just one person,” Schultz said.
This paints a picture of an organization that may be struggling with deeper internal challenges beyond simply the quarterback position.
Adding to the backlash, defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence publicly supported Jones, calling him the best quarterback on the team. Lawrence spoke openly about his feelings during an interview on Tuesday, noting the bond he shares with Jones and expressing his disappointment. “He’s the QB1. To me, he’s the best quarterback on the team,” Lawrence said, making it evident that he, too, disagreed with the decision.
Lawrence went on to discuss his friendship with Jones during an interview with The Athletic’s Charlotte Carroll. “It’s tough for that to happen. I can’t control it,” Lawrence said. “They made the decision based off their evaluations and their thoughts and feelings. … That’s my boy. As a player, you got to keep playing. As a human and as a brother, I feel for him.” Lawrence’s comments highlighted the personal side of the situation, showing just how much the decision has affected those closest to Jones.
He added that the Giants’ struggles this season, which have resulted in a 2-8 record, cannot be attributed to just one player. Despite the poor team performance, Jones has borne the brunt of the criticism, which many within the organization feel is unfair. “The losing isn’t just about one person,” Lawrence said. “Yet, Daniel has had to face the most scrutiny.”
Head coach Brian Daboll also weighed in on the quarterback change, releasing a statement on the Giants’ Twitter/X account. In his statement, Daboll emphasized that the decision to start Tommy DeVito was made after careful evaluation of game tape. “We are making a quarterback switch from Daniel Jones to Tommy DeVito. After evaluating and watching a lot of tape, that’s the reason we are going with Tommy,” Daboll said.
He further noted that Drew Lock would be serving as the backup quarterback moving forward. “This was a necessary move for us and I’m looking forward to working with Tommy, and he’ll be ready to go against Tampa Bay,” he added.
While Daboll’s statement framed the decision as a strategic move based on performance, it appears that the motivations behind the switch may have been more complex.
The rumored financial motivations have only added fuel to the fire, with players frustrated by what they see as a lack of accountability from the organization’s leadership.
The decision to demote Jones to third string, rather than simply moving him to a backup role, has further deepened the sense of disrespect among his teammates.
For now, the Giants are moving forward with Tommy DeVito as their new starter, but it is clear that the effects of this decision will linger.
The disappointment and discontent within the locker room suggest that the quarterback change is only the tip of the iceberg, with underlying issues still plaguing the franchise.
How the Giants navigate the remainder of the season will determine if they can regain a sense of unity and direction—something that seems to be sorely lacking at this point.
