Giants’ Preseason Run Pulls Daniel Jones Back Into the Conversation
The New York Giants have enjoyed a stellar preseason so far and won both of their first matchups. While the preseason doesn’t mean anything when it comes to the Giants’ record for the regular season, after the team’s 3-14 record last season, it sure feels good to snag some wins. So, even though it’s the preseason, it matters.
One of the biggest moves the Giants have made over the past year is parting ways with quarterback Daniel Jones. The Giants released Jones in November 2024, and now, Jones is with the Indianapolis Colts, following a run with the Minnesota Vikings last season. Jones was with the Giants for roughly six seasons, so it was big news to see him leave.
Now, the Giants have a large quarterback room with veteran quarterbacks Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston, promising rookie Jaxson Dart and hometown favorite Tommy DeVito. It’s early, but after the team’s good showing in the preseason, some are talking about Jones in the context of the New York Giants again, but not for great reasons.
New York Giants Moving on From Daniel Jones Was the ‘Best Thing’
Jones is far removed from the New York Giants, and some think that’s a good thing. In a Monday, August 18 feature for Gmen HQ, Jason Kandel says that he believes Jones was the problems for the Giants all along, not head coach Brian Daboll.
After discussing the promising look of the current New York quarterbacks, especially rookie Dart, Kandel said, “All of that is a clear sign that moving on from Jones was the best thing to happen to the G-Men.”
During Saturday’s lopsided preseason win over the Jets, 31-12, the Giants’ four passers notched for 407 passing yards and three touchdowns, two of which came from Dart. This impressed Kandel, and now, he says the Giants have hope, whereas Jones didn’t leave them much.
“The difference is night and day,” Kandel says. “With ‘Danny Dimes,’ the offense was stuck in neutral, where now, it feels like juice is returning to East Rutherford with every vertical shot Kafka dials up.”
Giants Don’t Have to Stand for ‘False Hope’
He adds, “For the first time in forever, Giants fans don’t have to settle for false hope under center. They can actually believe in the future, and Dart has showcased more poise and potential in three months in blue and white than his predecessor did in six years.”
Kandel also makes the case that Giants followers “can rest easy knowing they are in far better hands on Sundays, and the root of most of the team’s problems is gone.”
It’s certainly the case that the New York Giants have more hope than they have in a while going into the new season. Dart is expected to eventually lead this franchise, and he’s already doing a great job on the field. Until he’s ready, Wilson is expected to start. For Dart, New York drafted him as their No. 25 overall pick in the 2025 draft. He led the FBS with 1,517 passing yards and 17 touchdowns on deep passes in 2024.
It’s not fair to Jones to lay all the blame on him for the Giants’ dismal seasons. But, maybe it just wasn’t the right fit, as far as chemistry. Either way, it’s already looking better for the New York Giants this year.
