Insider explains Giants' handling of Daniel Jones' injury guarantee after big OL loss

Before it was reported on Wednesday that star New York Giants offensive tackle Andrew Thomas is likely to miss the remainder of the season following successful surgery to repair a Lisfranc injury in his foot, reporters like Ryan Novozinsky from NJ Advance Media for NJ.com suggested that Thomas' absence could lead the Giants to bench quarterback Daniel Jones in preparation for potentially releasing him in the upcoming offseason.

Giants insider Dan Duggan of The Athletic took to X to explain why general manager Joe Schoen and head coach Brian Daboll have yet to take that route. 

"I can say with confidence that the injury guarantee isn't going to drive any playing time decisions," Duggan said while referencing the four-year contract Jones signed in March 2023. "Now, maybe if the team and/or Jones bottoms out, he could be benched. But I don't believe ownership will green light playing a perceived worse QB due to the injury guarantee." 

In the summer, Schoen, interestingly, neither confirmed nor denied that the Giants could eventually bench a healthy Jones this fall so that the 27-year-old's salary for 2025 wouldn't be guaranteed due to an injury. As long as Jones can pass a physical, New York can escape his deal following the campaign. 

While Jones failed to prove he's the Giants' long-term answer at the position as the club lost four of its first six games this season, it's clear Daboll believes the 2019 first-round draft pick is the best quarterback on the roster ahead of primary backup Drew Lock and New Jersey native Tommy DeVito.

"I think we’ll get to a point where it becomes a more serious point of discussion," Duggan added about the Giants possibly benching Jones to keep him healthy. "I just don’t think we’re near it yet." 

That's understandable, considering some reporters believe that Giants co-owner John Mara could blow things up and part ways with Schoen and Daboll if the team collapses between this Sunday's home game against the 3-2 Philadelphia Eagles and Week 18. Benching Jones now would send a message that the Giants were punting on the rest of this season and planning for the future, which could cause other players to make "business decisions."

Unless Jones loses the starting job due to poor play, he'll likely remain the Giants' QB1 as long as they're mathematically alive in the hunt for a playoff berth.