NFL Coach: Giants' Daniel Jones Struggles When 'S--t Gets Moving and It's Live'

One anonymous NFL defensive coach used an analogy to describe the struggles of New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones after the ball is snapped.

"You go out to the gun range, you shoot a gun, you feel real comfortable hitting the target," the coach told Mike Sando of The Athletic. "But when people are shooting back, he is not as accurate. When the s--t gets moving and it's live football, I think that is what gets him — missing throws, making more mistakes."

Jones made his first preseason start on Aug. 17 after suffering a season-ending torn ACL in Week 9 of the 2023 season, with mixed results.

He completed 11 of his 18 pass attempts for 138 yards, although he threw two interceptions. The first one was especially costly, as it was returned by Texans safety Jalen Pitre for a touchdown.

He was eventually able to lead the Giants on a scoring drive to start the second quarter, highlighted by a 44-yard completion to Darius Slayton.

Jones will need to show that he can be consistent in 2024, as ESPN's Dan Graziano reported on July 29 that the Giants are willing to give him a full season as a starter before determining "whether they need to move on in 2025."

He'll have some help in the passing game following the addition of former LSU wideout Malik Nabers with the No. 6 overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft.

The Giants will be hoping that Jones was able to shake off the rust against the Texans, as their regular-season opener against the Minnesota Vikings on Sept. 8 approaches.