Daniel Jones’s tenure with the New York Giants came to an end just days before the team’s Thanksgiving matchup against the Dallas Cowboys. Jones, the No. 6 overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft, requested to be released after being benched by the Giants. He quickly found a new home with the Minnesota Vikings, marking a fresh start for the young quarterback.
During the broadcast of the Giants-Cowboys game, Tom Brady, who was on commentary duty, shared his thoughts on the situation. Brady addressed the way Jones left the team, expressing his disapproval of how Jones handled his departure from the Giants.
“I don’t know how that whole situation went down, but to think that you would ask for a release from a team that committed a lot to you is maybe different than I would have handled it,” Brady said. “I always felt I wanted to earn the trust and respect of my teammates, regardless of the situation, knowing that I was trying to do the best I could do for the team, because that’s the most important thing.”
Brady continued by sharing more of his perspective, drawing from his own experiences in football:
“There are just some different things that happen in the NFL, and everyone makes individual choices. We all face challenges at different points in our careers. I faced some tough situations in college, and things didn’t always go the way I wanted. For me, the people who mattered the most were the guys in the locker room. I showed up every day, no matter what. It didn’t matter if they asked me to be the scout team safety or the scout team quarterback—I was going to do whatever I could to help the team win.”
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Brady’s comments were critical of Jones’s decision, suggesting that the young quarterback may have prioritized his individual interests over the team. However, not everyone agreed with Brady’s assessment of the situation, and one notable voice that pushed back was former Giants running back Tiki Barber.
On Tuesday, Barber addressed Brady’s comments during his radio show, questioning whether Brady had all the necessary information before making such statements. Barber pointed out that Brady, due to his minority ownership stake in the Las Vegas Raiders, is not allowed to attend production meetings with teams before calling their games for FOX.
These production meetings are critical for broadcasters to gather insights directly from players and coaches, and Barber believes that Brady’s absence from these meetings may have contributed to his uninformed take.
“Do you think he’s having that conversation because he doesn’t do production meetings?” Barber asked. “If you have any kind of conversation with anybody on the Giants, you’re not saying that. I honestly don’t think you’re saying it that way.” Barber hinted that if Brady had spoken directly with the Giants organization, he might have had a different perspective on why Jones made the decision to ask for his release.
Barber further elaborated on the difficulties Jones faced, revealing that the quarterback was not allowed to participate in any workouts with the Giants after being benched.
According to Barber, Jones would have been required to essentially sit idle for five weeks—a situation that is far from ideal for a professional athlete, especially a quarterback who needs to stay sharp both physically and mentally.
Barber continued, saying, “The first thing I thought about when I heard this [from Brady] during the game was that I don’t think he’s talked to anybody about this Daniel Jones situation. I was there when they released him. It was surreal. It was bizarre. I don’t think Tom is privy enough to the information that he needs to have that conversation about Daniel Jones. To criticize Daniel Jones like that? That’s just wrong of Tom.”
Barber’s perspective offers a stark contrast to Brady’s criticism, emphasizing that Jones may have been put in an untenable position by the Giants and ultimately made the best decision for his career by seeking a release.
Barber’s firsthand knowledge of the situation and his insights into what transpired behind the scenes add an important layer of context to the story—one that may not have been fully appreciated by Brady.
The departure of Daniel Jones from the Giants was certainly unusual and seemed to take many by surprise.
While Brady’s criticism was rooted in his personal values of loyalty and perseverance, Barber’s comments highlighted the complexities and nuances that can arise in NFL locker rooms. Jones’ exit wasn’t as simple as walking away from a commitment; rather, it was a response to circumstances that may have left him feeling that his best interests were not being served by staying with the Giants.
Ultimately, the debate between Brady’s traditional approach to team loyalty and Barber’s defense of Jones’s decision underscores the evolving dynamics of the modern NFL. Players today face unique challenges and have more agency when it comes to their careers.
Daniel Jones made a choice that he felt was necessary, and while opinions differ on the rightness of that choice, what’s clear is that the decision wasn’t made lightly, and there are always multiple sides to every story.
