The New York Giants are benching starting quarterback Daniel Jones in favor of Tommy DeVito. It unofficially marks the end of the Jones era. The expectation is that general manager Joe Schoen will be releasing him from his contract in the offseason.
Financial implications are behind the decision to bench Jones. Jones' contract possesses a $23 million injury guarantee that could trigger for the 2025 campaign if he's hurt during the 2024 season. He can't get injured if he's on the bench. Releasing the former first-round quarterback will create $19.3 million in financial flexibility while triggering a manageable dead-money charge of $22.2 million.
Jones will search for his next opportunity via free agency. He could qualify as an intriguing low-cost reclamation project. We’ve identified three potential offseason fits for Jones.
Cleveland Browns
Under no circumstances should Deshaun Watson be the Cleveland Browns' starting quarterback next season. The financial penalties for releasing Watson make severing ties with his fully guaranteed $230 million contract unrealistic, but the Browns simply have to demote him to backup quarterback until his painful deal expires. Being forced to keep his bloated salary on the team limits Cleveland's options to replace him in the offseason.
The Browns could draft a rookie quarterback like Shedeur Sanders, Cam Ward, or Jalen Milroe. After all, they're currently slated to own the No. 3 overall selection in the 2025 NFL Draft. This class of quarterbacks still possesses a lot of questions and isn't as impressive as last year's. If Cleveland isn't convinced, they could alternatively take a low-cost chance on a veteran quarterback like Jones. It carries less risk than committing the next four or five years to a rookie QB they aren’t sold on.
New York Jets
The New York Jets fired GM Joe Douglas on Tuesday. After previously relieving head coach Robert Saleh of his duties as well earlier this season, the organization will officially be under a totally new direction next season. That makes aging quarterback Aaron Rodgers extremely unlikely to return.
The Jets can't release Rodgers without absorbing approximately $50 in dead cap, which could be spread out across two seasons, or swallowed in one large 2025 chunk. Either way, the Jets will find themselves in a similar situation to the Browns, needing to draft a rookie QB, or signing a bridge-type starter. Jones could help the Jets get through a transitional campaign.
Los Angeles Rams
Will Matthew Stafford and/or Sean McVay return to the Los Angeles Rams next season? Stafford is technically under contract through 2026, but the aging quarterback could weigh retirement. If McVay stays and needs a new starting quarterback, he's the type of offensive-minded leader that could help get Jones' flailing career back on track.
The Rams don't currently have a true developmental QB on the roster. Remember that McVay once gambled on Baker Mayfield after he failed with the Browns and Carolina Panthers, reviving his career ahead of what's now a very successful tenure with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Jones would be fortunate to land alongside McVay, even in a backup role.
