One of many key questions heading into the 2024 season for the New York Giants is whether or not or not Daniel Jones can lastly show that he’s “their man” at quarterback.
The six-year veteran had a rocky first 5 seasons with Huge Blue, riddled with accidents and marred by inconsistency. This offseason, he’s concentrating on rehabbing the torn ACL that ended his season after eight video games in 2023.
Veteran offensive lineman Justin Pugh, a former Giants first-round choose who returned to the staff “straight off the sofa” final 12 months to begin 12 video games, believes Jones has a “likelihood to show that he’s the man this 12 months” for the Giants.
“Daniel didn’t play in addition to he wished to final 12 months and he has to return again and repair these issues,” Pugh mentioned in an interview on SiriusXM NFL Radio this week.
Pugh made the case for Jones primarily based on frequent sense resembling the large four-year, $160 million deal the staff inked Jones to final March, which he says is now wanting good compared to contracts given to different quarterbacks across the league.
“They gave him a contract. He’s bought a cap hit of $47 million subsequent 12 months. You’re telling me you’re not going to trot that man on the market and know whether or not he’s going to be, or not, the quarterback of the longer term?” Pugh mentioned.
True. The Giants have a monetary curiosity in Jones that they’d prefer to see repay. However that didn’t forestall them from searching for his alternative within the draft in April to no avail.
“I believe the Giants did the precise factor. Everybody wished them to go quarterback within the draft. I believe it’s to proceed to encompass him with expertise and see what he has,” Pugh mentioned.
“They paid the person. This can be a make-or-break 12 months for Daniel Jones. And I really like Daniel. I believe he’s a terrific participant. Individuals within the media give him a tricky time.”
They ended up deciding on LSU stud wideout Malik Nabers within the first spherical and staying away from quarterbacks altogether. Nabers could possibly be the Giants’ subsequent nice offensive famous person.
Pugh believes sticking with Jones will repay after one other season misplaced to accidents. This 12 months can be pivotal to each Jones’ and the Giants’ future.
“I believe he actually has an opportunity to show that he’s that man this 12 months. And if he doesn’t — for all my Giants followers on the market and people NFL followers on the opposite facet — he gained’t have a job. He gained’t be on the Giants subsequent 12 months,” Pugh mentioned.
“That’s the greatest motivator you may have. He’s combating for his profession proper now as a result of the Giants have an out after this 12 months.”
Pugh, who’s a free agent once more and never more likely to rejoin the Giants, seems to be simply an social gathering at this level. He’d prefer to see issues work out for his former teammates.
“I’m wanting ahead to seeing to what he brings to the desk. He’s locked in. He was throwing in OTAs. He’s not getting all of the starter reps as a result of he’s coming off the ACL however no brace. He’s on the market slinging it,” he mentioned. “So, I’m wanting ahead to that and looking out ahead to him having a goal like Malik Nabers to throw the ball as much as.”