The Risk of Daniel Jones: A Giants Gamble

On September 24, 2019, the New York Post's back page screamed with a single word: HOPE. It was accompanied by a colorful image of Daniel Jones, the Giants' new quarterback, who had just led a thrilling comeback win in his first NFL start. Jones threw two touchdown passes and ran for two more scores, making him look like a faster and stronger version of Eli Manning, the franchise legend he replaced. The excitement was palpable, even though some fans had doubts about drafting Jones with the No. 6 pick in the 2019 draft. The general manager at the time, Dave Gettleman, had boldly stated, "In three years, we’ll find out how crazy I am, " referring to the controversial pick. The Giants had high hopes for Jones, and his debut performance seemed to validate their decision. However, the long-term impact of drafting him so early remained uncertain. Critics wondered if the Giants had reached too far, given the other talented players available. The initial success was encouraging, but the real test would be whether Jones could consistently perform at a high level in the demanding world of the NFL.