Why the New York Giants Need to Bench Daniel Jones Immediately (and 3 Possible Replacements for 2025)
The New York Giants are at a crossroads. It’s clear that the team is struggling to find its identity, but at the heart of their problem is one glaring issue: the quarterback position. The Giants have invested heavily in Daniel Jones since selecting him with the 6th overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft. But after four and a half seasons of inconsistent play, it’s time for the Giants to face the hard truth — Daniel Jones is not the franchise quarterback they need.
In this article, we will explore why the Giants must bench Daniel Jones immediately and look ahead to three possible replacements who could step in as the team’s starting quarterback in 2025.
The Case Against Daniel Jones
1. Inconsistent Performance and Turnover Issues
Since his debut, Daniel Jones has been the poster child of inconsistency. He has shown flashes of brilliance but far too often fails to deliver when it matters most. His career has been plagued by turnovers — both interceptions and fumbles — that have cost the Giants critical games. As of now, Jones has thrown over 50 interceptions and fumbled the ball nearly 40 times in his career. This alarming rate of turnovers has crippled the Giants’ offense, making it difficult for them to sustain drives or generate any meaningful momentum.
Critics have long pointed out that Jones’ decision-making under pressure is questionable at best. When facing a collapsing pocket, he tends to panic, leading to poor throws into coverage or disastrous sacks. The lack of pocket awareness and inability to secure the football have become recurring issues that should no longer be excused as growing pains.
2. Injury Concerns and Durability
Beyond his on-field struggles, Jones’ durability has also become a major concern. Over the last two seasons, Jones has dealt with multiple injuries, including neck and leg issues that have caused him to miss significant playing time. His injury history raises serious questions about his ability to endure the physical demands of an NFL season, especially given his penchant for running the ball. In the modern NFL, availability is one of the most important traits for a quarterback, and Jones has shown that he simply can’t stay on the field consistently.
The Giants’ offensive line has certainly been a factor in Jones’ injury woes, but the reality is that every quarterback faces pressure. The great ones find a way to adapt and protect themselves, while Jones has often put himself in harm’s way with his reckless playing style.
3. Lack of Growth and Development
Entering his fifth season, Daniel Jones should be reaching his prime and showing marked improvement. Instead, he has regressed in several key areas, such as reading defenses and delivering accurate throws beyond his first read. The Giants’ coaching staff, led by Brian Daboll, was supposed to unlock Jones’ potential. Yet, despite having a well-regarded offensive mind at the helm, Jones has not taken the leap many expected under Daboll’s tutelage.
The Giants invested significant capital to surround Jones with weapons like Saquon Barkley, Darren Waller, and a host of young receivers, but he has not maximized their talents. At some point, the blame must shift from the supporting cast to the man under center.
4. Holding Back the Team’s Progress
The NFL is a win-now league, and the Giants’ window to compete is closing rapidly. They have a solid core of young talent on both sides of the ball, but the quarterback position remains a glaring weakness. If the Giants are serious about contending in the NFC East, they can no longer afford to wait for Daniel Jones to figure it out. The longer they stick with him, the more they risk wasting the prime years of key players like Saquon Barkley and Dexter Lawrence.
Jones’ limitations have held back the Giants’ offensive playbook, forcing Daboll and offensive coordinator Mike Kafka to adopt a conservative, run-heavy approach. This lack of offensive explosiveness makes it easier for defenses to predict their plays and shuts down any hope of competing with high-powered teams like the Philadelphia Eagles and Dallas Cowboys.
3 Potential Replacements for the Giants in 2025
The Giants have to start planning for life after Daniel Jones. The 2024 NFL Draft and free agency present several intriguing options that could transform their offense and reinvigorate the team’s prospects. Here are three potential replacements for the Giants to consider in 2025:
1. Caleb Williams (USC)
Caleb Williams is the crown jewel of the 2024 NFL Draft class. The USC quarterback is widely regarded as a generational talent, drawing comparisons to Patrick Mahomes for his ability to make plays both inside and outside the pocket. Williams possesses a rare combination of arm strength, mobility, and football IQ that could instantly elevate the Giants’ offense to new heights.
If the Giants find themselves picking early in the draft, they must do everything in their power to secure Williams. The addition of a dynamic quarterback like Williams would not only energize the fan base but also provide a long-term solution at the position that they’ve lacked since Eli Manning’s departure.
However, the challenge lies in the fact that multiple teams will be vying for Williams’ services. The Giants may need to explore aggressive trade-up scenarios, similar to what the San Francisco 49ers did to draft Trey Lance. Given the state of their roster, it’s a gamble worth taking.
2. Kirk Cousins (Free Agent)
If the Giants are looking for a proven veteran to bridge the gap until they find their long-term answer, Kirk Cousins could be the perfect stopgap. Cousins, who will be a free agent in 2025, is known for his consistency and ability to deliver in the regular season. While he’s not a superstar, Cousins is a massive upgrade over Jones in terms of decision-making, accuracy, and pocket presence.
Signing Cousins would allow the Giants to remain competitive in the short term while continuing to build their roster through the draft. He’s proven that with the right supporting cast, he can lead a team to the playoffs, which is something the Giants desperately need after years of underachievement.
The downside, of course, is that Cousins is not a long-term solution and has struggled in high-pressure situations, particularly in the playoffs. But if the Giants are simply looking to stabilize the position, Cousins is a safer option than rolling the dice on another unproven rookie.
3. Quinn Ewers (Texas)
If Caleb Williams is out of reach, the Giants could turn their attention to Quinn Ewers, another top prospect in the 2024 draft class. Ewers, a standout at Texas, offers a blend of elite arm talent and football acumen that could translate well to the NFL. His quick release and ability to make all the throws give him a chance to develop into a franchise quarterback.
Unlike Williams, Ewers may not require the Giants to tank for a top-3 pick, making him a more attainable option. Additionally, Ewers’ experience in a pro-style offense at Texas would allow him to transition more smoothly to the NFL compared to other college quarterbacks.
By selecting Ewers, the Giants would be investing in a young, high-upside player who can grow alongside their core talent. It would be a bold move, but one that could pay off in the long term if Ewers can adapt to the speed of the NFL game.
The Verdict
The Giants cannot afford to continue with the status quo. Daniel Jones’ tenure has been marked by too many lows and not enough highs. At this point, it’s clear that the experiment has failed. The Giants need to bench Jones immediately, even if it means admitting a costly mistake. Whether it’s pursuing a high-profile draft pick like Caleb Williams, targeting a proven veteran like Kirk Cousins, or taking a swing on a young talent like Quinn Ewers, it’s time for the Giants to turn the page and find their next franchise quarterback.
The window of opportunity in the NFL is often short-lived, and the Giants need to act quickly if they hope to capitalize on the young talent they’ve assembled. The 2025 season could be the start of a new era for the New York Giants, but it requires the team’s front office to make bold decisions now. It’s time to stop settling for mediocrity and start aiming for greatness.
