If Daniel Jones has lost faith in himself, all is lost for the 26-year-old quarterback.
Jones, though, remains resolute that, once he is fully recovered from a torn ACL and completely healthy, he is the best option for the Giants as their starting quarterback in 2024.
“I do, yes,” Jones said Monday, and then broke out a wide smile.
As the Giants opened up Phase 1 of their offseason workout program, Jones was at the team facility, which is nothing out of the ordinary as he is in the building almost every day going through his rehab.
He said he is on schedule with his recovery and has set an aggressive goal for himself and his return.
“The plan is to be ready to go by training camp,” Jones said. “That’s what I’m shooting for, and I feel good about being ready.”
Jones on Nov. 22 had surgery on his right knee and said he has been throwing “for quite some time now.” Initially, the throwing was from a stationary position.
He has progressed and is able to throw with movement, dropping back and doing what he describes as “quarterback-specific drills.”
The Giants are serious about exploring selecting a quarterback high in the upcoming NFL Draft and taking one at No. 6 overall is definitely not out of the question, depending on which player or players are on the board. Trading up for a quarterback is also a scenario the Giants are investigating.
Jones does not devour social media posts about his situation — he often is oblivious to them — and is doing his best to steer clear of wading into the “will they or won’t they take a quarterback in the draft” waters.
“I think you can get into trouble when you try to think too much about some of those things and how it all works out,” he said. “Yeah, like your antenna for some of those dynamics and relationships. I’m just focused on what I’m doing, and that’s my rehab, getting healthy, spending time with the guys, and making sure we’re getting on the same page, and having the best spring we can.”
The Giants’ top decision-makers, general manager Joe Schoen and head coach Brian Daboll, have stated that if Jones is healthy, they expect he will be the opening-day starter.
This does not mean the Giants will refrain from adding a quarterback in the draft.
Part of the reason the Giants are concerned about Jones is his lack of durability. He has sustained two separate neck injuries and now is coming off reconstructive knee surgery.
Jones insists the second neck injury, suffered last season, was nothing more than “a stinger-type injury that is pretty common in football” and that issue is completely gone.
The Giants signed Drew Lock to a one-year deal to serve as Jones’ backup. Tommy DeVito remains on the roster. A rookie quarterback entering the room will change the dynamic, one way or another.
Daboll said there is no rush with Jones.
“I’d say he’s making progress,” Daboll said. “I don’t want to say further ahead or behind. He’s doing everything we need him to do. Hitting it head on and he’s making strides.
“It’s day to day with these injuries. Come in and be improved from where you were the day before. I don’t think too far ahead with that. He’s been in meetings, he’s doing his stuff and tomorrow we’ll see if he can do a little bit more. What’s going to happen in two weeks, four weeks, I couldn’t give you that answer right now.’’
