Giants teammates share support for Daniel Jones ahead of pivotal season

New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones has spent much of the past 11 months as one of the NFL's most criticized players, and it's no secret that his general manager nearly drafted his eventual replacement this past April. 

As Jones prepares to return to action in-game this weekend, multiple teammates have made it known they have his back regardless of what critics say. 

"Really proud that he’s my quarterback," linebacker Micah McFadden recently said about Jones during a chat with Steve Serby of the New York Post. 

McFadden joined the Giants via the 2022 draft and was a rookie when Jones guided the club to a playoff berth and a road postseason victory. This helped the signal-caller receive a four-year contract from the organization in March 2023. However, Jones played poorly last season before being sidelined with his second neck injury in three years and a season-ending ACL tear on Nov. 5. 

In this year's draft, GM Joe Schoen didn't acquire a quarterback with a first-round pick, but Schoen can escape Jones' deal following the upcoming season. Meanwhile, Jones will look to shake some rust off when he plays in this Saturday's preseason game at the Houston Texans. 

"A lot of people don’t think about how many months he’s spent here in the offseason when guys are going on vacation and guys are back home and whatnot," McFadden said about Jones' recovery. "He’s been up here grinding and getting healthy. Just admire the way he’s attacked it. Tons of respect for him, and excited to see him get back out there this weekend." 

Unlike McFadden and others who have previously played in meaningful contests alongside Jones, running back Devin Singletary only signed with the Giants this past March. Singletary nevertheless left little doubt he's been impressed by what Jones has shown from springtime workouts through training camp. 

"You’ve gotta admire just everything he’s been through, the injuries and stuff, and to keep fighting," Singletary said about his QB1. "It’s a tough league, and to be in New York and doing this, yeah, that’s tough. You gotta be mentally tough to do that." 

As of Friday afternoon, DraftKings Sportsbook had the 2024 Giants at +400 betting odds to qualify for the postseason tournament. New York missing the playoffs would make it easy for Schoen to show Jones the door in March 2025, but offensive tackle Andrew Thomas believes the 27-year-old can thrive this coming fall thanks in part to having rookie wide receiver and sixth-overall draft choice Malik Nabers as a new weapon. 

"It’s his third year in this offense, and I think he’s really commanding the huddle just with his play, especially with some young receivers, so he’s helping them come along, and I think he’s doing a good job of that," Thomas added about Jones.