Daniel Jones is expected to land with a new team any day now following his release from the Giants last week, but former NFL quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick believes an extended break might be the best move.
When discussing the fallout of Jones’ departure from the Giants, where he was under center for a rollercoaster five-and-a-half seasons, Fitzpatrick detailed why it could be beneficial for the 27-year-old to take a brief step back for the rest of the year amid a new report he has “zeroed” in on the top choice for his next team.
“I’m really happy that New York released him because I think it puts him out of his misery a little bit. They didn’t have to do that, and my advice to him, I wouldn’t sign anywhere,” the one-time journeyman quarterback, 42, told co-host Andrew Whitworth this week on their “Fitz & Whit” podcast.
“I would just take the rest of the year … unless you’ve got a playoff team, they lose somebody down the stretch, I don’t think there’s a reason to sign as a backup somewhere. I don’t think there’s a reason to sign on a bad team and go play more games. This is one of those moments where he truly gets to hit reset in his career, relax a little bit, take the offseason, find a good landing spot.”
Jones, the Giants’ sixth overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft, was officially benched last Monday following a 2-8 start to the season.
The former Duke product, who was in the second year of a four-year, $160 million contract extension signed after the Giants’ surprise playoff run in 2022, was granted his release on Friday.
“The opportunity to play for the New York Giants was truly a dream come true and I’m extremely grateful to the Mara and Tisch families for the chance to play here,” Jones said last Thursday in a prepared statement.
“… There have been some great times but, of course, we all wish there had been more of those. I take full responsibility for my part in not bringing more wins. No one wanted to win more games worse than me, and I gave everything I had on the field and in my preparation.”
Last weekend, reports emerged that Jones preferred to land with a playoff contender, with the Vikings (9-2) and Ravens (8-4) being named as potential suitors.
Fitzpatrick — who also spent time in New York as quarterback of the Jets from 2015-16 — said he believes Jones has the talent to revive his career “in the right place,” a la a fellow Gang Green alum who is now quarterback a playoff contender in Minnesota.
“He’s [Jones] the type of guy that can land on his feet. He could have that Sam Darnold-type resurgence with the right scheme, with the right place, with the right coaches, but he’s got to play a lot better than he has,” Fitzpatrick said.
Jones, who went 24-44-1 as a starter, has thrown eight touchdowns and seven interceptions this year.
As for Darnold, the Jets’ third-overall pick in 2018, he has thrown 21 touchdowns against 10 interceptions through 11 games in his first season with the Vikings.
Minnesota coach Kevin O’Connell heaped praise on Jones in a media session earlier this week, but couldn’t “get into too much short-term or long-term.”
“I can just say, I’ve been a fan of Daniel’s for a long time and hope wherever his next stop takes him, it’s a good opportunity for him,” O’Connell said.
NFL insider Josina Anderson reported Tuesday that Jones is informing teams Wednesday of his decision.
