Nov. 18 (UPI) — The New York Giants will bench Daniel Jones and start backup quarterback Tommy DeVito in Week 12, a league source told UPI on Monday.
Jones completed 63.3% of his throws for 2,070 yards, eight scores and seven interceptions through 10 starts this season. The Giants, who are on bye in Week 11, are on a five-game losing streak and sit at 2-8 in 2024.
They are on track to get a Top-5 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.
Jones, who joined the Giants as the No. 6 overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft, threw just two touchdown passes over his last five starts. He was sacked 17 times and threw four interceptions during that span.
Clowney Woods
: NFL Network pic.twitter.com/kxQnQo0uh8— Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) November 10, 2024
Jones completed 67.5% of his throws for 909 yards, two scores and six interceptions in six starts last season. He completed career-best 67.2% of his throws for a career-best 3,205 yards, 15 scores and five interceptions over 16 starts in 2022, when the Giants made the playoffs for the first time since 2016.
Jones, 27, sustained multiple injuries last season, including a season-ending ACL tear in Week 9. By benching Jones this season, the Giants also will protect themself financially, as the quarterback’s contract includes a $23 million injury guarantee that becomes fully guaranteed for 2025 if he is injured and can’t pass an off-season physical.
The Giants signed Jones to a four-year, $160 million extension in 2023. They could release the quarterback this off-season, resulting in a dead salary cap hit of about $22.2 million. The move would save the team about $19.4 million in overall cap space.
Drew Lock, 28, served as Jones’ primary backup for every game this season. He completed 3 of 8 passes for 6 yards in two appearances. DeVito, 26, completed 64% of his throws for 1,101 yards, eight scores and three interceptions over nine appearances last season. He went 3-3 as a starter in 2023.
Beanie Bishop Jr. with the INT to seal the @steelers win! pic.twitter.com/YS8hN3dZM1— NFL (@NFL) October 29, 2024
Jones led a Giants offense that posted the fewest points (15.6) per game through the first 11 weeks of the season. The Giants totaled a league-low eight passing touchdowns and the seventh-fewest passing yards in the league. They have the No. 5 pass defense, but rank 29th against the run.
DeVito and the Giants will host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-6) on Sunday in East Rutherford, N.J.
COMMENTS
Please let us know if you're having issues with commenting.