The New York Giants are making a major change at quarterback. The team is benching Daniel Jones and starting Tommy DeVito, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported Monday morning.
Daniel Jones Benched, Tommy DeVito To Start
Sources: The #Giants are benching QB Daniel Jones, officially moving on from their starter.
Out of the bye week, with the team 2-8, Jones now heads to the bench in what the team has said would be a football decision. pic.twitter.com/NaiVruk6sq
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) November 18, 2024
Head coach Brian Daboll confirmed the decision later to start DeVito over Drew Lock.
“We are making a quarterback switch from Daniel Jones to Tommy DeVito,” Daboll said. “After evaluating and watching a lot of tape, that’s the reason we are going with Tommy. Drew Lock will be the backup. This was a necessary move for us, and I’m looking forward to working with Tommy, and he’ll be ready to go against Tampa Bay.”
Lock will be the backup, while Jones moves to the third string.
This move likely ends Jones’ tenure with the Giants. The former first-round draft pick has severely underperformed in 2024. Jones’ numbers: 2,070 passing yards, eight touchdowns, and seven interceptions with a 79.4 passer rating.
General manager Joe Schoen previously said the team would decide on Jones’ future based on his play.
However, benching Jones protects the team from potentially paying the quarterback’s $23 million injury guarantee for 2025. If Jones was injured this year and could not pass a physical in March, he would receive $23 million guaranteed.
The Giants benching Jones based on an injury guarantee is similar to what the Denver Broncos did with Russell Wilson.
Coach Daboll: We are making a quarterback switch from Daniel Jones to Tommy DeVito. After evaluating and watching a lot of tape, that's the reason we are going with Tommy. Drew Lock will be the backup. This was a necessary move for us and I'm looking forward to working with Tommy… pic.twitter.com/OTPmSCIq0P
— New York Giants (@Giants) November 18, 2024
Giants Turn To DeVito For a Spark
The contract details on Daniel Jones:
The Giants will get out of the remaining $78M owed to Jones over 2025-26 when he gets cut after this season. It doesn't come without any penalty. They will have a $22.2M dead cap hit next year.
That's on money already paid out though.…
— Jordan Raanan (@JordanRaanan) November 18, 2024
At 2-8, the Giants are looking for a spark on an offense that ranks 32nd in the NFL in scoring at 15.6 points per game.
The Giants turning to DeVito instead of Lock is a bit surprising. Lock signed a one-year, $5 million deal in the offseason to serve as Jones’ backup.
Lock has appeared in two games this season, completing three of eight passes for six yards.
DeVito famously started six games for the Giants in 2023, going 3-3. DeVito threw for 1,101 yards, eight touchdowns, and three interceptions.
“Tommy Cutlets” and the Giants host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-6) in Week 12.
