New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones often gets called out for the team’s inability to win games. That’s different so far this season, but his play on the field still has many questioning if he’s “the guy.”
Head coach Brian Daboll and general manager Joe Schoen decided not to exercise Jones’ fifth-year option, which shows that they are not tied to him as their quarterback. They also have upwards of $80 million in cap space opening up next year, so there’s room to find a solid QB with experience.
Enter Lamar Jackson, who is playing at a high level and will potentially be a free agent next year because Baltimore couldn’t nail him down.
Former Giants running back Tiki Barber is really starting to believe that Jackson could land in New York, noting that Jackson feels disrespected by Baltimore and the stage provided by New York teams is a perfect fit for Jackson.
Lamar with the Giants?? Tiki says it’s possible. pic.twitter.com/ZueTvpw1Oz
— Brandon Tierney (@BrandonTierney) September 19, 2022
“The prefect place for him — a place that has money, a place that is an ideal media market for a star, a former MVP, who’s dynamic and has got a coach who is going to help turn him into a Josh Allen-level quarterback that’s always in the MVP conversation, is Brian Daboll at the New York Giants,” Barber said. “I’m now starting to believe it. Lamar Jackson could be a New York Giant next year.”
Jackson has only been in the league a year longer than Jones, but their stats and ratings are very different. Jackson has two Pro-Bowl selections and in 2019 was named First-Team AP All-Pro. His career quarterback rating is 99, but through two games in 2022, his rating is 120. He’s thrown 90 touchdowns with 32 interceptions (including six TDs and one INT in 2022) over his career and has a 64.1% completion rate.
Jones, meanwhile, has no postseason accolades to speak of. His career quarterback rating is 84.9 (99.4 in 2022). He’s thrown 40 touchdowns with 30 interceptions (including three TDs and one INT in 2022) over his career and has a 63.2% completion rate.
Aside from the passing game, Jackson brings an additional element to the field with his ability to run the ball as needed. His passing has greatly improved since entering the NFL, but his ability to scramble and make plays outside the pocket has to have the Giants salivating. With a weak offensive front, Jackson’s playmaking ability would drastically improve the offense.
But, it’s a long season. We don’t know how Jones or Jackson are going to perform, we don’t know if either of them will succumb to injury or if something else will interfere with their performances.
Still, it’s probably safe to say that Jackson is someone the Giants are keeping a close eye on shoulder they let Jones walk and opt not to select a quarterback in the 2023 NFL draft.
