New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll says he will bench quarterback Daniel Jones in favour of Tommy DeVito in an attempt to “try to spark things” after five consecutive NFL defeats.
Jones is 3-13 in his last 16 starts for the team with the fewest number of points per game, averaging 15.6 after their 20-17 loss against the Carolina Panthers in Munich on November 10.
“We’re making a quarterback switch from Daniel and we’re going to go with Tommy,” explained Daboll, confirming the decision hours after the Associated Press had reported the news from an anonymous source with knowledge of the camp.
“I spoke with all the quarterbacks this morning before our morning meeting to let them know the direction where we’re going.
“Those are never easy conversations; I’ve got a lot of respect for all three of those guys. After evaluating a bunch of things and looking at a lot of tape, and being around Tommy last year, when he created a little bit of a spark for us, that’s why we’re going with Tommy.”
Brian Daboll likes Tommy DeVito’s fundamentals and quick release. He’s played almost 700 snaps, preseason and regular season. “We’re trying to develop him the best we can.”
— Dan Salomone (@Dan_Salomone) November 18, 2024
📰 Table Of Contents
Daniel Jones contract
Jones, 27, signed a four-year, $160 million contract after helping his team make the play-offs during Daboll’s first campaign in 2022 and has 10 touchdown passes and 13 interceptions this season.
It is unclear whether Jones will start again, while the popular DeVito has jumped from third-choice ahead of veteran second-choice Drew Lock.
Brian Daboll: “We’re shaking things up.” Tommy DeVito is “eager for the opportunity.”
— Dan Salomone (@Dan_Salomone) November 18, 2024
“Drew will be the back-up – we’ll continue to work with him,” said Daboll, speaking ahead of the visit of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to the MetLife Stadium on Sunday (1pm ET).
“He’s been nothing but a pro, as was Daniel. It felt like this was a necessary move with us and we look forward to working with Tommy and getting him ready to go against Tampa.”
Tommy DeVito: Giants want ‘spark’
Only the Las Vegas Raiders, on six defeats, are in worse form than the Giants, who are 2-8 and bottom of the NFC East.
Daboll’s side have seven games remaining and could use a favourable draft pick to strengthen their quarterback ranks.
“We’re not playing the way any of us want to play,” acknowledged Daboll. “That’s on all of us but this felt like a decision we needed to make here to try to spark things, to change things up.”
