Daniel Jones is enjoying a career year under Brian Daboll with the New York Giants, but the team should take a clear path forward with the QB. When Jones was drafted back in 2019, it was largely viewed as a reach.
He did play rather well during his rookie season, but the next two years were nothing special. Fast forward to his fourth and final year of his rookie deal, and the offensive staff led by Brian Daboll, the head coach, and Mike Kafka, the offensive coordinator, have turned Daniel Jones into an efficient passer for the New York Giants.
However, even though the Giants have clinched a playoff berth and Jones is playing well, it’s clear to me that he is not the long-term answer and feels more like a short-term solution. For the Giants, since the new staff and front office were essentially all poached from Buffalo, their path forward with Daniel Jones should be clear.
Tyrod Taylor was the Buffalo Bills’ starting quarterback from 2015-2017. During that time, Taylor went 22-20 as a starter. He threw for 51 touchdowns, 16 interceptions, and earned a 92.5 passer rating. He also averaged 201 yards passing a game during this stretch.
Over a 17-game season, Taylor averaged 20 touchdowns and six interceptions per season. Overall, he played reasonably well, and the Bills did make the playoffs during his tenure as a starter. However, it became clear that Taylor was not a true long-term answer and was simply someone who kept the ship in the right direction until someone new could take it to new levels.
Well, that new player was Josh Allen, and the rest has been history. Taylor’s solid play over three years for the Bills was much needed. He provided stability at the position and helped propel the Bills into at least a shrivel of relevancy.
The Bills knew that Taylor did not have a high enough ceiling and realized that they needed to take a swing at someone major.
For the New York Giants, they need to take the same exact approach with Daniel Jones.
Funnily enough, in 2022 as a Giant, Jones has put up almost identical numbers to what Taylor did for three years in Buffalo.
Jones has the same 92.5 passer rating and has thrown for 200 yards per game through 16 games. The New York Giants will surely bring Daniel Jones back for another year, but I do think at some point, the team will need to take a big swing at a quarterback who has a much higher ceiling.