In a surprising turn of events, the New York Giants have decided to bench their starting quarterback, Daniel Jones, after ten games into the 2024 NFL season. This decision aligns with a noticeable shift in the team's strategy, as they promote Tommy DeVito to lead their offensive lineup. Giants' General Manager Joe Schoen deemed it "a football decision," underscoring the tactical motives behind this change.
Jones, who led the Giants to a playoff victory in 2022 and was even considered for Comeback Player of the Year, has faced a challenging couple of years. Following a promising 2022 season, Jones encountered a severe setback in 2023 when a torn ACL ended his season after just six games. At that point, the Giants were struggling with a 1-5 start, and Jones had committed seven turnovers. His return in 2024 has not been as impactful as the team had hoped, with only three wins from his last 16 starts and a passer rating of 79.4, ranking him 32nd among qualified quarterbacks.
The Giants' move to bench Jones is more than a mere roster shuffle; it signifies a quest for renewed performance and team morale. The Giants recently brought in Drew Lock as their No. 2 quarterback, who had already stepped in to relieve Jones in two games this season. Despite this support, the team has chosen to place their faith in DeVito, believing he could revitalize the offensive play.
Tommy DeVito, an undrafted quarterback from Illinois, now stands at the center of attention. At 26 years old, DeVito brings a fresh perspective to the Giants' offensive strategy. In the previous season, he maintained a 3-3 record as a fill-in starter and impressed with eight touchdowns against three interceptions. His 2024 debut as a starter will be against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 12, a game that will provide a real-time test of his abilities at the helm.
This promotion marks a distinctive direction under Joe Schoen's guidance. The team seeks to inject competitive vigor, hoping that the decision to elevate DeVito can spark the desired turnaround in their fortunes. As the Giants take this bold step, the stakes are high, with the overarching aim of revitalizing the squad's performance and cultivating a renewed sense of competitive spirit.
Meanwhile, Jones' path forward remains uncertain. After signing a substantial four-year, $160 million contract extension before the 2023 season, expectations were sky-high. His 2022 achievements—which included accounting for 22 scores, five interceptions, and over 700 rushing yards—are still fresh in the team's memory. The expectation now will be whether Jones can regain his form or if this signals a longer-term shift towards developing talent like DeVito.
The decision to bench a player of Jones' caliber is significant, especially given his past contributions to the team. Yet, it reflects a broader strategy by the Giants to prioritize performance over loyalty to past achievements. As Tommy DeVito steps into this pivotal role, all eyes will be on his performance against the Buccaneers, which kicks off a new chapter in the Giants' journey.