The New York Giants have officially ushered in a new chapter by cutting ties with Daniel Jones, their fifth-year quarterback, in a move that many saw coming but were shocked to witness so suddenly. After being benched ahead of Sunday’s clash with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Jones’ time in New York is now firmly in the rearview mirror. For most Giants fans, his tenure will be remembered less for its fleeting moments of brilliance and more for the frustrating inconsistency and questionable decisions that defined his play.
But with Jones gone, the burning question remains: What’s next for the Giants? Is there a path back to glory for this once-proud franchise, or will they remain stuck as the NFC East’s perennial underdog? The answers are far from comforting, especially in the short term. If you think things are bleak now, brace yourself—this season’s turbulence is likely to worsen before any meaningful progress is made.
The Quarterback Conundrum: Is Tommy DeVito the Answer?
While fans have rallied around backup quarterback Tommy DeVito, the optimism might be premature. Sure, "Tommy Cutlets" is a name that New Yorkers can get behind, but let’s keep it real: he’s unlikely to be the long-term solution. DeVito had one notable outing last year, putting up an impressive 246 yards and three touchdowns in a win against a struggling Commanders squad. Outside of that game, however, his performances were unremarkable. He frequently failed to surpass 200 passing yards and was largely relegated to executing a game plan focused on handing the ball off and avoiding mistakes.
If DeVito had made any significant strides this season, we probably would’ve seen him take the reins long before now. Instead, the Giants find themselves in a precarious position with no clear quarterback answer for the immediate future. And that’s just one piece of the puzzle.
The Struggling Offense: More Than a Quarterback Problem
Even beyond the quarterback, the Giants’ offense has been stuck in neutral. Their run game, while slightly better than their passing attack, has been inconsistent at best. Ranking 13th in offensive EPA when rushing, they’ve shown flashes of competency, but it’s far from the dominant ground game they’d need to compensate for their lackluster passing efforts. Without a miraculous turnaround, the Giants are staring down yet another season with double-digit losses—a painful reality for a fan base that’s grown tired of losing.
Consider this: if the Giants lose at least 10 games this year, it will mark the seventh time in the last eight seasons that they’ve reached this unfortunate milestone. Such dismal consistency doesn’t just demoralize fans; it also puts immense pressure on the leadership tasked with turning things around.
The Heat Is On: Daboll and Schoen Under Scrutiny
Head coach Brian Daboll and general manager Joe Schoen entered the organization with the unenviable job of cleaning up the mess left behind by the Dave Gettleman-Joe Judge era. They inherited a roster low on talent, a bloated payroll, and a franchise in desperate need of direction. While there have been incremental improvements, back-to-back seasons of 10 or more losses would test the patience of even the most forgiving fans—not to mention owner John Mara.
According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, Mara currently has no plans to part ways with Daboll or Schoen. However, that patience could wear thin if this downward spiral continues into next season. For both men, 2024 could very well be a make-or-break year.
A High Draft Pick—But At What Cost?
One silver lining to a disastrous season is the promise of a high draft pick. Surely, the Giants will use this opportunity to secure a franchise quarterback and finally stabilize the position. Right?
Not so fast.
The 2025 NFL Draft class isn’t exactly overflowing with quarterback talent. In fact, it’s shaping up to be one of the weaker classes in recent memory. Sure, there are intriguing prospects like Miami’s Cam Ward and Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders, but neither comes without red flags. Ward is a dynamic playmaker with an impressive arm, yet his erratic tendencies might give offensive coordinators nightmares. Sanders, on the other hand, is polished and poised but struggles with quick decision-making—something that could be disastrous behind an offensive line that ranks 22nd in sack percentage this season.
And let’s not forget the competition. Teams like the Jets, Raiders, and Browns are all in desperate need of a quarterback, and others like the Panthers, Saints, and Seahawks could join the fray. With so many teams jockeying for position, the Giants might not land the savior they’re hoping for.
A Defense with Bright Spots—and Big Holes
The Giants’ defense has been a mixed bag this season. On one hand, their league-best sack rate shows they can bring pressure with the best of them. On the other hand, they rank a dismal 25th in defensive EPA, revealing glaring weaknesses in other areas. The reality is that this roster still has too many holes, and filling them all will take time—likely more time than fans or ownership are willing to wait.
The Road Ahead: Patience Required
For Giants fans, the next few seasons are likely to test the limits of their loyalty. The rebuilding process is far from over, and the challenges ahead are significant. From finding a reliable quarterback to shoring up the defense and improving offensive consistency, there’s no quick fix on the horizon.
So, what’s the bottom line? Buckle up, Giants fans. The journey back to relevance is going to be a long one. But if there’s one thing New Yorkers know how to do, it’s endure. And who knows? Maybe, just maybe, brighter days are closer than they seem. For now, though, patience will have to be the name of the game.
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