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New York Giants general manager Joe Schoen said Monday that the “expectation is that when Daniel (Jones) is healthy, he will be our starting QB.” Here’s what you need to know:

  • Jones underwent surgery last week to repair a torn ACL he suffered in a Week 9 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders.
  • The Giants (4-8) currently would have the sixth pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, which is expected to have several talented quarterback prospects, but Schoen publicly backed Jones on Monday.
  • New York went 1-5 in Jones’ starts this season after he led the team to the playoffs in 2022.

What Schoen said

“I’ve seen it. You guys all saw last season,” Schoen said. “The guy won 10 games. He won a road playoff game for the Giants. You guys saw the preseason. I just think we got punched in the nose early on and dug ourselves a hole, and we weren’t able to get out of it. Trying to right now, but we still believe in Daniel.”

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Schoen added that the Giants need to add a quarterback this offseason based on the uncertain timeline of Jones’ recovery and didn’t rule out acquiring one in the draft.

When asked if the team would select a quarterback in the first round, Schoen said they’ll take the “best player available.”

What to make of Schoen’s comments

Schoen is facing the reality of a quarterback dealing with a torn ACL. After signing Jones to a massive deal this past offseason, the Giants are expecting Jones to be the starter when healthy. But there’s a big caveat to that by acknowledging the uncertainty of Jones’ rehab timeline. It’s possible Jones isn’t ready to go Week 1, and the Giants will already need to expand the position group options as veteran backup Tyrod Taylor is a free agent following the season’s conclusion.

Most telling was Schoen’s comments on the draft. He didn’t rule out picking a quarterback, even in the first round. Coming into this weekend’s game against the New England Patriots, the Giants were in a position to potentially draft a top-three pick. But those odds dropped significantly with a 10-7 victory.

Schoen said Jones is already back in the building as he starts his rehab process. Even before the ACL tear, Jones was acquiring an injury history with his neck being the most recent issue. Jones earned security with his four-year, $160 million deal he signed this offseason. But the Giants also have flexibility with an out in the contract after next year. — Charlotte Carroll, Giants staff writer

Backstory

Jones underwent surgery to repair his ACL last week. He said on the “Up and Adams” podcast Tuesday that his recovery is expected to take eight to 10 months.

Jones tore his ACL against the Las Vegas Raiders on Nov. 5, and coach Brian Daboll confirmed the following day that Jones would miss the remainder of the season.

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Jones finished the 2023 season with 909 passing yards, two touchdowns and six interceptions. He also missed three games with a neck injury following New York’s Week 5 loss to the Miami Dolphins.

Required reading

(Photo: Jasen Vinlove / USA Today)

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