NFL Rumors: Giants' Daniel Jones Not Expected to Have 'Short Leash' vs. Steelers

New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones "is not expected to be on a short leash" for Monday's game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, according to ESPN's Jordan Raanan.

Raanan added that "a handful of Giants players told ESPN this week they weren't pushing for a permanent change at quarterback entering the Monday night matchup."

Lock came on for Jones midway through New York's 28-3 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 7, with head coach Brian Daboll citing the need for a "spark."

While Daboll made it clear that Jones remained the starter, Giants co-owner sent a somewhat different message when he balked after being asked directly about the injury guarantee in Jones' contract. Like other teams have done in the past, New York could bench Jones toward the end of this year to ensure he doesn't trigger the guarantee, which would then make it easier to release him in the offseason.

His long-term future in the Big Apple remains a major subplot of the current campaign.

New York was surely looking for a bounce-back effort in 2024 from the signal-caller it signed through 2026, and he has responded by completing 62.5 percent of his passes for 1,442 yards, six touchdowns and four interceptions while going 2-5 as a starter.

It is fair to wonder whether Jones will ever return to the form he showed in 2022 while leading the Giants to the playoffs.

Daboll has already set a bit of a precedent by turning to Lock, even for a limited spell. As much as Jones isn't on a "short leash" for Monday, it looks as though he's on shaky footing as the starter.