When Daniel Jones spoke to reporters on Thursday with most of his words in the past tense, it was obvious the end of his six years with the Giants was near.
When Giants players emerged from of the morning walkthrough and Tommy DeVito, Drew Lock and newly signed Tim Boyle were the only quarterbacks leaving the indoor practice facility to head to the locker room, it seemed the end for Jones had arrived, because he was nowhere to be found.
And then, minutes after the walkthrough was complete, when the Giants released a statement from team co-owner and president John Mara revealing that he had granted Jones his release, the end was confirmed shortly before noon on Friday.
Jones, selected with the No. 6 overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft, was benched by head coach Brian Daboll on Monday and replaced by Tommy DeVito.
On Thursday, the team’s second practice of the week in advance of Sunday’s game against the Buccaneers at MetLife Stadium, Jones was working as a scout-team safety — a strange and awkward sight.
When he spoke to reporters after Thursday’s practice, Jones said he was still “processing” his situation when asked if he planned to remain with the team.
That “processing” didn’t take long as he walked into Mara’s office Friday morning and asked for his release.
“Daniel has been a great representative of our organization, first class in every way,” Mara said in the statement.
Jones will have to clear waivers, which is a formality because if he’s claimed the team would have to pay the remaining nearly $12 million of his 2024 salary.
Once he clears waivers, he’ll become a free agent and will be free to sign with another team.?
If he signs with another team for the pro-rated minimum, Jones could earn $375,000 for the rest of the season, ($62,500 per week).
Jones being released Friday instead of after the season is of little discernable difference in the team’s salary cap. They’ll carry a $22.2 million dead cap charge in 2025 with Jones’ release.
Had he remained with the team and gotten hurt, Jones has a $23 million injury guarantee written into his contract, a sum he would receive if he was unable to pass a team physical.
Daboll informed the players of the Jones move before they went through their morning walkthrough.
“I wanted them to hear it [from me],” Daboll said. “This is not an easy thing. You’re around people every day for a long amount of time.”
Daboll said he had a “really, really good talk with Daniel” on Friday, adding, “I’ve got a lot of respect for him. [This is] not the way we wanted it to turn out by any stretch. But he’s been nothing but a pro since I’ve been here with him, and he’s a great young man. I wish him all the best.”
So, too, did Jones’ teammates, who were bummed out by the fallout from his benching
“A good friend of mine just left the building, so obviously this has some sadness to it,” receiver Darius Slayton said. “Six years together, it’s a long time. As a quarterback and receiver drafted together, we have a kind of special bond. But as long as you play in this league, you understand the business. People come and go. It’s part of it.”
Tight end Daniel Bellinger said it was “hard to describe” his emotions “because DJ has been such a great teammate to all of us.”?
“For me specifically, since I first got here, he welcomed me with open arms, so this is a little sad for me,” Bellinger told The Post. “I know it’s a business, but I’m going to miss him.”
Bellinger said he spoke to Jones briefly before he left Friday and said, “He’s optimistic about his future.”
Jones’ future was very much a theme spoken by his teammates.?
“Obviously, it’s a tough thing to go through,” DeVito said. “Thoughts and prayers for him and his family. I’m definitely feeling for him, but we’re still going to be close.”
As for what’s next for Jones, DeVito said, “We see it across the league everywhere where some things just don’t work out and other opportunities and doors will open. So, I look forward to watching him be out on the field again.”
Drew Lock, who was signed in the offseason to be No. 2 behind Jones and was passed over for DeVito by Daboll, has also had a tumultuous week. But he felt for Jones most of all.?
“It’s kind of tough to see it end this way for him after how much he had invested here,” Lock said. “I’ve only been here for a couple months, but I’ve enjoyed my time with him and I’m going to miss him. It’s tough, sad … around here.”
Lock, like several of Jones’ former teammates, spoke bullishly about Jones’ future with another team.
“There are going to be opportunities for him,” Lock, who’s on his third team since he was drafted in 2019, said. “Now he can maybe get a fresh start. I enjoyed my fresh start in Seattle after Denver. It kind of gave me a new outlook on football. I think it can be great for quarterbacks, especially.
“I’m excited to see what comes next for him. He’s great quarterback. He studies well, is physically gifted, super-talented. I hope he’s great [elsewhere]. I’m going to cheer him on the rest of my life.”
