The New York Giants are making a major change. The NFL team is releasing quarterback Daniel Jones midway through the season.
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NFL insider Ian Rapoport announced the news Friday morning as the Giants prepared for Sunday's matchup against the Buccaneers. The team then issued a statement confirming the news.
"Daniel came to see me this morning and asked if we would release him," Team President John Mara said in a statement. "We mutually agreed that it would be best for him and for the team.
"Daniel has been a great representative of our organization, first class in every way. His handling of this situation yesterday exemplifies just that. We are all disappointed in how things have worked out.
"We hold Daniel in high regard and have a great appreciation for him. We wish him nothing but the best in the future."
With the Giants choosing to release Jones, he will now head to waivers. If he clears without any other team claiming him, he will become a free agent. At that point, he will be able to sign with any team.
The request for release came after Jones lost his starting job. The Giants decided after the Bye week to drop Jones to third on the depth chart and make Tommy DeVito the starter moving forward. Drew Lock, an offseason acquisition, became DeVito's backup.
Jones joined the Giants as the sixth overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft. He faced the tough task of replacing two-time Super Bowl champion Eli Manning, who the Giants ultimately benched early in the season.
The former first-round draft pick has remained the starter ever since with 69 starts on his resume. He missed 11 games last season due to two separate injuries.
Jones returned to the starting lineup this season but only compiled a win-loss record of 2-8 as the entire team struggled. A loss to the Panthers in Germany was his last start for the NFC East team.
With the Giants agreeing to release Jones, he will now look for another opportunity in the NFL. He will head to waivers with an overall win-loss record of 24-44-1. Jones has thrown for 14,582 yards, 70 touchdowns, and 47 interceptions while leading the Giants offense.
