Brian Daboll isn’t planning a change vs. Commanders
The New York Giants will not be making a change at quarterback after just one week of the 2024 NFL season. Head coach Brian Daboll was clear on Monday that Jones, the embattled sixth-year quarterback, will remain the starter after Sunday’s 28-6 loss to the Minnesota Vikings.
Daboll simply said “yes” when asked if Jones was still the starter.
Daboll also said that Jones will continue to get all the first-team reps as the Giants prepare for their Week 2 game Sunday against the Washington Commanders.
Jones was 22 of 42 for 186 yards with two interceptions, including a pick 6. He had a 44.3 passer rating. He was sacked five times, with Pro Football Focus faulting him for three of those.
“There were some good things,” Daboll said. “But there were certainly a lot of things we can improve on. We had some missed opportunities.
“Decisions for the most part, people we were looking at, where we were throwing, were good. Obviously, there were some, whether it was inaccuracy because of a base or maybe there was pressure. There’s a variety of reasons for that. It takes all 11. We’ve got to clean it all up.”
Daboll deflected when asked about Jones’ work managing the pocket on Sunday.
“Offensively, defensively, kicking-game wise, none of it was where we needed it to be,” Daboll said.
Is starting Jones in Week 2 the right decision?
In my view, yes. For now.
That is not because of a misguided belief that the quarterback, in his sixth season with a resume that includes more bad than good play, can suddenly morph into something he has never been.
It is because this has been the organization’s plan since the day they knew they weren’t going to be able to trade up in the 2024 NFL Draft to get Drake Maye. All the work they have done has been centered around the idea that Jones would be the quarterback. He has taken every first-team rep since the beginning of training camp. In fact, the way the Giants structured both spring and summer practices was largely designed to give Jones, rehabbing from knee surgery, the best chance to succeed in 2024.
It is a 17-game season. One awful week does not make it time to throw everything out and start over. I know some people will say it’s been six mostly bad seasons. I won’t disagree, but we are talking about this year. That is what Daboll and the Giants are considering, and are worried about now.
The leash for Jones can’t be long. Sunday made it shorter, no doubt. He has to show them competent, or better than competent, quarterback play beginning Sunday against the Commanders.
If he doesn’t the ‘how much longer is the leash?’ question will be worth re-visiting.
