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 Massive 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 yr to begin 12 video games, believes Jones has a “likelihood to show that he’s the man this yr” for the Giants.
“Daniel didn’t play in addition to he wished to final yr and he has to come back again and repair these issues,” Pugh mentioned in an interview on SiriusXM NFL Radio this week.
Pugh made the case for Jones based mostly on frequent sense corresponding to 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 received a cap hit of $47 million subsequent yr. 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 in search of his alternative within the draft in April to no avail.
“I feel the Giants did the appropriate factor. Everybody wished them to go quarterback within the draft. I feel 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 yr for Daniel Jones. And I really like Daniel. I feel he’s an ideal participant. Folks within the media give him a troublesome time.”
They ended up choosing LSU stud wideout Malik Nabers within the first spherical and staying away from quarterbacks altogether. Nabers might be the Giants’ subsequent nice offensive celebrity.
Pugh believes sticking with Jones will repay after one other season misplaced to accidents. This yr shall be pivotal to each Jones’ and the Giants’ future.
“I feel he actually has an opportunity to show that he’s that man this yr. 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 yr,” Pugh mentioned.
“That’s the greatest motivator you possibly can have. He’s combating for his profession proper now as a result of the Giants have an out after this yr.”
Pugh, who’s a free agent once more and never prone to rejoin the Giants, seems to be simply an occasion 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.”