Back in August, New York Giants co-owner, John Mara backed the franchise’s decision to hand quarterback Daniel Jones a massive deal last year. This show of confidence came despite Jones having an indifferent six games in 2023 before tearing his ACL. In his assessment, Mara appeared compassionate and had no regrets. However, just two months into the new season, with the Giants having lost five times, Mara isn’t that sure about Jones’ future with them.

The last two games have seen the Giants add dismal scores of 7 and 3, losing out to the Bengals and the Eagles in the process. With a 2-5 record this season, things are looking far from ideal for the franchise. Yet, Mara isn’t pressing the panic button yet and gave head coach Brian Daboll and general manager Joe Schoen his vote of confidence, while giving no such guarantees for Daniel Jones beyond this season.

“Obviously we’re all very disappointed with where we are right now,” Mara admitted on “The Duke: Wellington Mara’s Giant Life” on Friday, but said that he doesn’t anticipate making any changes either this season or in the off-season. But when asked about Jones’s injury guarantee in the contract, he answered, “I’m not going to get into that.”

Now this confusing remark from the team’s President has definitely cast a doubt on the quarterback’s future with the team, especially when he was benched during a game by the HC. So, what’s going on in the locker room? Well, Giants defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence, who himself signed $87.5 million last year, revealed how the locker room feels about Jones.

“I think the attitudes in the locker room are well. We practice well and watch it on tape. I think we just got to show up on Sunday and be ready to play,” Lawrence said on The Rich Eisen Show on Saturday. He revealed that the leaders of the team, including Daniel Jones, lead and help the players to “stay committed.”

So far in seven games Jones has thrown for 1,442 yards, six touchdowns, and four interceptions. Against the Eagles, he had thrown for 99 yards, no touchdowns, and no interceptions on 14-of-21 passing while also sustaining seven sacks. He was benched in the fourth quarter as the Giants ended up losing.

Eisen then asked the DT about Jones and how he was dealing with the situation around him. To which, Lawrence replied, “He did it pretty well, he knows the guys in the locker room have his back and we know that he’s in a tough position and he’s going to have to fight through it. But he knows that we have his back and that gives him confidence every week.” Well, this will sound a little assuring to Jones and his future at the franchise, but what did co-owner, John Mara’s comments mean?

Well, last year Jones signed a four-year $160 million contract with the Giants. However, the guaranteed money in this new deal runs out at the conclusion of this season. But if gets injured and is unable to pass a physical in March, he would be guaranteed $12 million of his 2025 salary. Moreover, another $11 million would be guaranteed if he cannot pass a physical once the season starts.

This creates a scenario where the Giants relegate Jones in the depth chart and keep him on the sideline. This could ensure his injury guarantee doesn’t come into play at all. His being benched against the Eagles, could be a worrying sign for the player, with Mara’s comments not assuring in the least.

However, on August 1, he appeared more patient about Jones’s performances while addressing the new contract. He said, “I’m still happy we gave (Jones) that contract because I thought he played really well for us in ’22. Last year, he got hurt and let’s be honest, when he was playing, we weren’t blocking anybody. So, let’s give him a chance with a better offensive line with some weapons around him to see what he can do.”

Meanwhile, head coach Brian Daboll has also shown his faith in Jones and assured the quarterback of his place in the side ahead of the Week 8 game against the Steelers.

Daboll backs Jones ahead of pivotal next two games

Jones is 3-10 in his past 13 starts and has a passer rating of 80.6, which ranks 26th among qualified quarterbacks and below the league average of 91.5.

The situation doesn’t ease off for the Giants as they face the Steelers and the Commanders in a key NFC East battle. But despite Jones’s struggles against the Eagles and his benching by Daboll, the HC assured him of his position in the team.

Talking about Jones,  Daboll said, “I think he gives us the best chance, number one. I thought there were a lot of plays that he did exactly what he needed to do, and then look, there were some plays where it wasn’t just on Daniel. It was a collection of things. It wasn’t just one person, a protection or a route.”

This means Jones will continue to receive first-team reps in practice over backup Drew Lock. The 27-year-old will now hope to repay the faith and public backing by Daboll, but putting up a better show in the next two outings.

His contract position already puts him in a precarious position, with his $41 million cap hit for the 2025 season making him a potential cut candidate from the Giants’ roster next offseason. But Daboll and Jones will be eyeing a turnaround that may show John Mara that handing the QB the hefty contract was indeed not a mistake.