Following a 28-6 loss to the Minnesota Vikings in Week 1 of the regular season, New York Giants fans were understandably frustrated.
Most of that frustration was aimed at quarterback Daniel Jones, although head coach Brian Daboll has seen his fair share as well. Others have also been the focus of ire.
None worse than Jones, however. Fans stayed long after the game to burn his jerseys and heckle him on his way to the parking lot, while former teammates trashed him on social media and opponents expressed pity for him.
Following practice on Wednesday, Jones was asked how he handles hearing other players around the league taking shots at his game and how it differs from criticism from the media.
“I’ve said a number of times I’m concerned about the people in this building, and I think I’ve got plenty of help, plenty of good coaching, plenty of good teammates to work with here. That’s what I’m focused on,” Jones told reporters. “But in terms of other people and what they have to say or what they think from their perspective and what their observations are, it’s really not very important to me.”
Shutting out the haters is never an easy task, so while Jones says those opinions aren’t important to him, you have to wonder how much they fuel his motivation.
Jones’ opinion of fans heckling him is much different and much more believable.
“Fans — they’re upset and frustrated, and we’re frustrated too. I understand that. I’m not easily offended. I understand how it works and know I’ve got to play better. We’ve all got to play better,” he said.
Jones has always been level-headed and goal-oriented, but the outside noise has never been louder. No one is so closed off that they don’t feel it.
Retired Giants running back Brandon Jacobs knows that all too well, having seen it with Eli Manning. Leaning on his own experiences, he recently implored Giants players to rally around DJ.
The players of the NYG. Please support your QB through these time. Continue to encourage him through this hard time. Yall go to battle with him nobody else does.
— Brandon Jacobs (@BrandonJacobs27) September 11, 2024
We’ll see if Giants players heed that warning and help pick Jones up this Sunday against the Washington Commanders.
