Former executive has theory on why Giants didn't draft Daniel Jones' replacement

Former NFL executive and current analyst Michael Lombardi believes that New York Giants co-owner John Mara impacted the club's decision to not spend the sixth pick of the 2024 NFL Draft on a replacement for starting quarterback Daniel Jones. 

"And remember, John Mara, the president of the team -- he's the reason why Daniel Jones is making all that money -- he loves Daniel Jones," Lombardi said during a Monday appearance on sports radio station 106.7 The Fan, per Dan Mennella of Audacy. "He drafted Daniel Jones as the sixth pick overall. Nothing would make them more happy than Daniel Jones being successful. They're almost willing it to happen. It won't, but they're hoping it will."

Specifically, former Giants general manager Dave Gettleman selected Jones with the sixth pick of the 2019 draft. Current New York general manager Joe Schoen and Mara came together to sign Jones in March 2023 to a four-year contract that could be worth up to $160M. 

The Giants can escape that agreement next offseason as long as the 26-year-old isn't dealing with a football-related injury at that time. 

This past March, well-known radio host and FS1 personality Colin Cowherd suggested that Mara wanted a quarterback in Jones who Schoen and head coach Brian Daboll "privately don’t want." 

As mentioned by individuals such as Darryl Slater of NJ Advance Media for NJ.com, it's believed Schoen was at least somewhat interested in moving up from pick No. 6 to No. 3 in the 2024 draft to get North Carolina Tar Heels quarterback Drake Maye.  

The New England Patriots stayed put and selected Maye with the third choice on Thursday. 

"And they've gone 10 years -- they're the only team in the NFC East that has not won the East in the last 10 years," Lombardi added about the Giants. "They have the worst record in the last 10 years in the NFC East. It's a shame because the Giants should be a stellar franchise in the league. But, because they fall in love with their players, they love their players, they make bad decisions."

Lombardi insisted that people within the Giants were not "in love with" Michigan Wolverines quarterback J.J. McCarthy. 

New York grabbed LSU Tigers wide receiver Malik Nabers with the sixth pick of this year's draft, and the Minnesota Vikings ultimately got McCarthy via the 10th choice.