The once firmly shut doors are now slightly ajar. Despite New York Giants’ Head Coach Brian Daboll’s attempt to firmly close it after a defeat against the Philadelphia Eagles, it appears it won’t fully close again. This change in dynamics came into play after he decided to bench quarterback Daniel Jones in the last quarter of Sunday’s game. Post the 28-3 loss, Daboll entered the locker room and instantly confirmed Jones as his first-choice quarterback moving forward. His words to the players echoed his public statements – he was merely aiming to ignite a “spark.”

However, the question remains – will Daboll repeat his decision and choose backup Drew Lock the next time Jones falters, possibly as soon as Monday night’s game against the Pittsburgh Steelers? With their season and quarterback situation hanging in the balance, the Giants (2-5) are in a precarious position. Despite Jones regaining the starting position, it is unclear whether he has been promised the role permanently. Jones said, “I think after the game, he said to the team that I was the starter going forward. So, I’m going through the week preparing to play and play well. But in terms of his plans, it’s a better question for him.”

Behind the Scenes of the NFL Nation

As the season progresses, the certainty of Jones remaining the primary quarterback is questionable. When asked if he felt the need to reassure Jones, Daboll responded, “Yeah, I would say we’ve had conversations. Those would be private conversations, and our focus is on getting ready to play Pittsburgh.” The ambiguity of his response leaves room for speculation.

Following the Steelers, the Giants face a tight schedule against the rejuvenated Washington Commanders, then the Carolina Panthers in Germany, before a bye week. Various elements could influence the situation during this period, such as Jones’ performance, the team’s morale, and the injury guarantee of $23 million for Jones, which becomes fully guaranteed on the fifth day of the league year in 2025 if he fails a physical.

Owner John Mara publicly endorsed General Manager Joe Schoen and Daboll earlier this week but refrained from commenting on Jones or the injury guarantee, stating, “I’m not going to get into that.” It appears the Giants may be gearing up to draft a new quarterback next offseason. In the interim, they are considering their options with Jones for the rest of the season. Jones reiterated, “[Daboll] said to the team that I was the starter going forward. So, I’m going through the week preparing to play and play well.”

Potential Roadmaps for the Rest of the Season

Scenario 1: Let the Season Play Out

Contrary to general expectations, Jones might just turn the tide with the remaining 10 games of the season. Schoen and Daboll’s faith in Jones suggests that he could potentially go on an extraordinary streak. He has the rest of the season to demonstrate his capabilities, especially with a top receiver like rookie Malik Nabers by his side. Jones showcased his prowess in 2022, ending up sixth in the NFL with a 62.9 QBR. Daboll, touted as a QB whisperer, might just be able to coax out Jones’s latent potential. Despite Lock’s lackluster performance during the summer and his recent game, it’s worth noting he didn’t exactly outperform Jones.

Scenario 2: Assess the Situation Gradually

The most plausible scenario could be to assess Jones’s performance on a game-by-game basis. Having been benched once, it wouldn’t be shocking if it happened again. If Jones falters in Pittsburgh, we might witness Lock stepping in. The Giants parting ways with Jones seems inevitable, given their 5½ year association. As wide receiver Wan’Dale Robinson pointed out, performance is critical in this industry, and if you don’t deliver, someone else will.

Scenario 3: Give Jones a Final Shot

Monday night’s game against the Pittsburgh Steelers could be Jones’s last shot at redemption. If he excels, he maintains his position as the starter. However, if he falters, Lock or Tommy DeVito could step up against the Commanders next week. This scenario could mark the end of the Jones era, barring an unexpected injury spree. It would keep Giants fans on the edge of their seats for the remaining nine games.

Scenario 4: Wait Until the Bye Week

Another likely option could be to wait until the bye week before switching quarterbacks. If the Giants lose two out of three matches, and the offense continues to score an abysmal 14.1 points on average, Daboll will need to take action. This approach could be a strategic fallback, with a change in quarterback serving as a desperate attempt to salvage the team’s reputation before the offseason.

Scenario 5: Keep Jones Until Playoff Elimination

The team owners might prefer this scenario, as they are generally against throwing games or reducing the team’s chances of winning. This approach would give the Giants the optimal chance to win most of the remaining season games before a legitimate business decision is made. It would be risky to expose Jones to potential injuries, especially when the playoffs are out of reach. The sensible move would be to protect Jones and give Lock or DeVito a chance to prove their worth in the final weeks of the season.