NGT - Schefter: Daniel Jones hoping to land with a contender

[DaveBrown74]

Schefter reporting that Jones will clear waivers and favor signing a one year deal with a team in playoff contention rather than a QB-needy team.

I think this is probably smart at this point. Better to become part of a good program with quality talent and good coaching and settle for being a backup moving forward, rather than go to another bad team, even one where he might start some games this year. The latter is much less likely to produce good results and a stable path moving forward.


https://x.com/AdamSchefter/status/1860640304426004839

[MightyGiants]

DJ has done the whole dysfunctional team thing for the last 6 seasons.  I can't imagine he has a desire for more.

[Gmo11]

Is there a contending team that would even want him? Or is he going to sit back and see if an injury happens this week that might open up a spot. Even as a backup I can't imagine any contending team would want to bring him in rather than use a backup that's been on the team all year.

[DaveBrown74]

Is there a contending team that would even want him? Or is he going to sit back and see if an injury happens this week that might open up a spot. Even as a backup I can't imagine any contending team would want to bring him in rather than use a backup that's been on the team all year.

Fair question.

I'd have to look closely at all the backups among the contenders. Remember that Jones is now a totally different financial proposition once he clears waivers, which he obviously will. A contender might offer him less money than a bad team, and if Schefter's reporting is accurate Jones might take a bit less to go to a good team than he could get from a bad team. It's only going to be 6 more games, so the per game amount differences could be pretty trifle. Especially to a guy who got a $92mm guarantee in his last job. The Giants made him rich, so he now has the luxury of not having to chase every last penny and can focus more on getting himself in the right situation.

[DaveBrown74]

Is there a contending team that would even want him? Or is he going to sit back and see if an injury happens this week that might open up a spot. Even as a backup I can't imagine any contending team would want to bring him in rather than use a backup that's been on the team all year.

https://x.com/AdamSchefter/status/1860655627816841234

[MightyGiants]

Is there a contending team that would even want him? Or is he going to sit back and see if an injury happens this week that might open up a spot. Even as a backup I can't imagine any contending team would want to bring him in rather than use a backup that's been on the team all year.

If we look at it objectively.  In a few weeks time, these contenders could upgrade their backup QB position both in ability and with DJ's work ethic contribution in the locker room

Broncos

Stidham, Jarrett  >> Daniel Jones (DJ would reunite with QB Coach Davis Webb, DJ enjoyed his best season when Webb was like his backup/coach on the field)

Chargers

Taylor Heinicke/Easton Stick >>> Daniel Jones

Rams


Jimmy Garoppolo  ????  Daniel Jones  Not sure if the Rams would consider this a worthwhile upgrade


49ers with injured QB Purdy

ALLEN, BRANDON/Josh Dobbs  ????  Daniel Jones  May value an experienced starter as a backup

Seahawks

Howell, Sam T/Was >>>>  Daniel Jones  They already turned one Giants' castoff QB into a winner

Lions

Hooker, Hendon 23/3 >>>>>  Daniel Jones  They already salvaged one QB's career

Vikings

Mullens, Nick T/LV  >>>>  Daniel Jones  They already salvaged one failed New York QB

[MightyGiants]

Since @DaveBrown74 mentioned Baltimore (I had left them off the list because I am not sure DJ's skill set resembles Lamar's close enough to be a good backup)

JOHNSON, JOSH U/SF  >>>>>  Daniel Jones

While not a perfect match style-wise, DJ would be a huge upgrade over Josh Johnson

[Gmo11]

If we look at it objectively.  In a few weeks time, these contenders could upgrade their backup QB position both in ability and with DJ's work ethic contribution in the locker room

Broncos

Stidham, Jarrett  >> Daniel Jones (DJ would reunite with QB Coach Davis Webb, DJ enjoyed his best season when Webb was like his backup/coach on the field)

Chargers

Taylor Heinicke/Easton Stick >>> Daniel Jones

Rams


Jimmy Garoppolo  ????  Daniel Jones  Not sure if the Rams would consider this a worthwhile upgrade


49ers with injured QB Purdy

ALLEN, BRANDON/Josh Dobbs  ????  Daniel Jones  May value an experienced starter as a backup

Seahawks

Howell, Sam T/Was >>>>  Daniel Jones  They already turned one Giants' castoff QB into a winner

Lions

Hooker, Hendon 23/3 >>>>>  Daniel Jones  They already salvaged one QB's career

Vikings

Mullens, Nick T/LV  >>>>  Daniel Jones  They already salvaged one failed New York QB

If you're asking me if Jones is better than some of those guys the answer is yes...probably. if this was the off-season he'd be at the top of the list of backups available. But all of those other guys have spent at least this entire season with that team in that system. Jones couldn't figure out Dabolls in 2.5 years. How's he supposed to figure out a different one in 2.5 months? Honestly for his sake I hope whatever team does pick him up makes him the Tim Boyle of their roster. Just let him sit and watch and learn.

[uconnjack8]

I think for him to go to a contender they will have to be willing to carry 3 QBs on the roster. 

Not 100% on the practice squad rules but I don't see that scenario because he could be plucked if another team had an injury.

As for contenders that might want him, I think you don't have to even look outside the division.  Best match might be Philly.  Kenny Pickett is the backup and I think Jones might be an improvement.

Some others that I think could be interested:  SF, Seattle and Miami if you want to consider them contenders.  Certainly SF and Seattle are thinking playoffs with a stretch run.  Miami's path is a little more difficult at this point.

[MightyGiants]

I think for him to go to a contender they will have to be willing to carry 3 QBs on the roster. 

Not 100% on the practice squad rules but I don't see that scenario because he could be plucked if another team had an injury.

As for contenders that might want him, I think you don't have to even look outside the division.  Best match might be Philly.  Kenny Pickett is the backup and I think Jones might be an improvement.

Some others that I think could be interested:  SF, Seattle and Miami if you want to consider them contenders.  Certainly SF and Seattle are thinking playoffs with a stretch run.  Miami's path is a little more difficult at this point.

The practice squad rules are essentially this-  A player on the team's practice squad can receive offers from the rest of the league.   The practice squad player can accept or reject such offers.  If DJ agreed to sign to a team's practice squad with the understanding he would be elevated in a couple of weeks, I can't imagine he would likely accept another offer.

If you're asking me if Jones is better than some of those guys the answer is yes...probably. if this was the off-season he'd be at the top of the list of backups available. But all of those other guys have spent at least this entire season with that team in that system. Jones couldn't figure out Dabolls in 2.5 years. How's he supposed to figure out a different one in 2.5 months? Honestly for his sake I hope whatever team does pick him up makes him the Tim Boyle of their roster. Just let him sit and watch and learn.

I appreciate that you believe and stated that DJ "stinks," but that is not an opinion shared by many in the NFL.   They appreciate that DJ is smart and a hard worker who has worked in a variety of offensive systems.  He likely could learn enough to be a functional QB in another system in 2 or 3 weeks.

[DaveBrown74]

I think @Gmo11  makes a good point about familiarity with the playbook though. While Jones might technically be an upgrade to some of these backups, there's a big difference between signing on in the spring and signing on with six games to go in the regular season. Is a contending team really going to feel better with Jones coming in, completely unfamiliar with the playbook and will they really downgrade a guy who has been the backup all year (or more than a year) practicing with the players, watching tape with the coaches, integrated with the locker room, and deeply knowledgeable of the playbook? Could be a tough ask.

[uconnjack8]

If you're asking me if Jones is better than some of those guys the answer is yes...probably. if this was the off-season he'd be at the top of the list of backups available. But all of those other guys have spent at least this entire season with that team in that system. Jones couldn't figure out Dabolls in 2.5 years. How's he supposed to figure out a different one in 2.5 months? Honestly for his sake I hope whatever team does pick him up makes him the Tim Boyle of their roster. Just let him sit and watch and learn.

This is why I think a team would likely have to carry 3 QBs on the roster. Give Jones several weeks to get acclimated and still have a functional backup.  At this point I can't see him being considered to be on the field until the last 3 weeks of the season. 

[MightyGiants]

I think @Gmo11  makes a good point about familiarity with the playbook though. While Jones might technically be an upgrade to some of these backups, there's a big difference between signing on in the spring and signing on with six games to go in the regular season. Is a contending team really going to feel better with Jones coming in, completely unfamiliar with the playbook and will they really downgrade a guy who has been the backup all year (or more than a year) practicing with the players, watching tape with the coaches, integrated with the locker room, and deeply knowledgeable of the playbook? Could be a tough ask.

Maybe, but it's worth noting that Schefter said DJ is expected to find a new home sooner rather than later and has multiple options.

Success in the NFL is never guaranteed, and a team would hate to see a good season crash and burn because its starting quarterback got hurt and its backup wasn't good enough.  It's worth noting that the reason most of these teams are in playoff contention is their QBs enjoy excellent support, and the coaches are skilled at developing players and getting them up to speed quickly.

[MightyGiants]

Ian Rapoport
NFL Media Insider

Among Jones' possible options:

>The San Francisco 49ers are dealing with a shoulder injury to starter Brock Purdy, who will miss Sunday's game against the Packers. Head coach Kyle Shanahan left open the possibility that Purdy could miss more than Sunday, with Purdy to be re-evaluated on Monday. If Purdy is deemed in danger of missing more time, San Francisco would make a lot of sense and could be very real.

>A team like the Baltimore Ravens could also make sense, with Jones' athleticism and speed fitting what Baltimore does on offense. Journeyman Josh Johnson currently is Lamar Jackson's backup. Jones could sign with the Ravens' practice squad and work his way up, and general manager Eric DeCosta is always looking to improve the roster.

>The Raiders are said to like Jones as an organization, and if he's a free agent, they could emerge as an option. Why? Because Las Vegas expects to be a team in the market for a bridge starter in the 2025 offseason, while simultaneously also looking for its QB of the future. Jones could audition for his future role and maybe earn an even bigger one, while the Raiders get a look at a free agent-to-be. Las Vegas likely won't make the playoffs, but that might be Jones' best choice for his future.

https://www.nfl.com/news/daniel-jones-expected-to-quickly-sign-with-new-team-after-clearing-waivers-next-week

[MightyGiants]

https://x.com/DMRussini/status/1860673520272888236