ESPN: Daniel Jones, Giants May Face 'Russell Wilson' Situation over Contract Clause

A midseason quarterback change might be possible for the New York Giants thanks to Daniel Jones' $23 million injury guarantee for next year, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.

Schefter wrote how "other NFL teams have benched quarterbacks to avoid triggering injury guarantees," citing Russell Wilson with the Denver Broncos and Jimmy Garoppolo with the Las Vegas Raiders as examples from last season.

"The Giants are yet at that point with Jones, and it is early in the season," Schefter clarified. "But these are decisions that other teams have faced in recent seasons, and if Jones doesn't play better — he has just two touchdown passes in his last eight games — New York would be expected to be forced to consider a similar decision."

Jones went 22-of-42 for 186 yards and two interceptions in a 28-6 loss to the Minnesota Vikings, a performance that amplified the concerns that grew in 2023 over his long-term viability as the starter.

If an injury or his continued on-field decline forced New York's hand, then Drew Lock would be the next man up.

Lock, an offseason acquisition who backed up for the Seattle Seahawks last year, threw for 543 yards, three touchdowns and three interceptions in four 2023 appearances.

He last served as a go-to starting quarterback in 2020, when he posted 16 touchdowns and 15 interceptions for the Denver Broncos.

Tommy DeVito, the undrafted rookie who stepped up in Jones' absence last season, threw for 1,101 yards, eight touchdowns and three interceptions in nine appearances for the Giants. Their 3-1 run with him as the starter masked his lackluster production.

Demoting Jones at any point would foreshadow a much bigger change to come within the quarterback room in the offseason.