New York Giants reportedly asked Daniel Jones to go home

Quarterback’s refusal led to ultimate decision to ask for release

After deciding he would no longer be their starting quarterback the New York Giants asked Daniel Jones to go home, per a report from Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk.

Like the Las Vegas Raiders did two years ago when they benched Derek Carr in a similar situation, Florio reported that the Giants asked Jones to go home, with pay. That would guarantee that the Giants would be off the hook for $23 million in injury guarantees in 2025. Carr agreed to the Raiders’ request. Jones refused, ultimately leading to his decision to ask for his release.

Florio writes:

There’s nothing wrong with the Giants wanting Jones to stay home. It’s the natural extension of their decision to take him out of the lineup. But the request for Jones to stay home laid the foundation for Jones eventually asking to be released.

His first choice, we’re told, was to remain active — and to help the other quarterbacks prepare to win games. When he decided not to stay home, the Giants altered his workout program, in order to minimize if not eliminate the possibility of injury. He wasn’t going to be throwing at practice, and his lifting program was significantly restricted. All in the name of keeping him healthy.

Business considerations prevented Jones from doing anything to help the team. No real practice (other than scout-team, walk-through safety), no throwing, limited lifting. He wasn’t getting ready to play, because he wouldn’t have played. He wasn’t permitted to participate in practice, because they didn’t want to risk triggering his $23 million injury guarantee for 2023.

Again, there’s nothing wrong with the Giants wanting to avoid the injury guarantee. But that helps explain Jones’s eventual decision to ask to be released.

Jones, of course, cleared waivers and signed with the Minnesota Vikings.

In light of all of this, Florio correctly pointed out that Tom Brady’s takedown of Jones over the release looks ridiculous.