Daniel Jones’ six-year journey with the New York͏ Giants officia͏lly came͏ to a close ͏after he requ͏ested ͏a release from the str͏uggling team. The Gi͏an͏ts, sitting at a dismal͏ 2-8 record, h͏onored th͏e reque͏s͏t, par͏ting w͏ays͏ with their former sixth-overall pick.

Now, the 27-year-old quarterback͏ i͏s hea͏d͏ing to waiv͏ers, ͏giving teams a chance to claim ͏him bef͏ore he͏ becomes ͏a free agent ͏on Monday. Wi͏t͏h Jones up for grabs, several͏ ͏teams,͏ including Tom Brady‘s Raiders,͏ might be we͏ig͏hing their ͏op͏tions ͏for a low-r͏i͏sk, pote͏n͏tially high-reward addition.

Here’s the catch – claiming Daniel Jones off waivers would cost $11.83 million—something no team is likely to risk for a struggling quarterback. If he clears waivers, Jones becomes a free agent eligible to sign for the league minimum of $375,000, similar to how Russell Wilson continues to play on a reduced salary while the Broncos handle his hefty contract. The Giants, too, will shoulder the financial burden, leaving Jones a cheap option for any team willing to give him another shot.

One team in the mix could be Brady’s Raiders. With a quarterback carousel involving Gardner Minshew, Aidan O’Connell, and Desmond Ridder, the Raiders could use Jones to stabilize their offense—or at least test him as a short-term fix for the remainder of their season. Head coach Antonio Pierce, a former Giants linebacker, might be intrigued by Jones’ potential to fit into their system as a low-cost audition.

For Jones, the fall from a $160 million extension to a potential $375,000 paycheck is stark. Injuries and inconsistency marred his tenure, leaving the Giants with no choice but to rebuild, clearing $20 million in salary cap space. Reflecting on his release, owner John Mara called him “a first-class representative of our organization” despite the disappointment.

As the Raiders evaluate their quarterback conundrum, Jones’ availability presents an intriguing opportunity. Could this be the next chapter for the embattled QB—and a chance for the Raiders to hit reset?

From Broncos’ wallet to Steelers: Russell Wilson’s unique contract parallels Jones’ next chapter

Russell Wilson’s 2024 journey is the epitome of a “pay-me-while-I-play-elsewhere” NFL narrative. Despite donning the Pittsburgh Steelers jersey for a mere $1.21 million this season, Wilson’s financial comfort stems from Broncos’ coffers. The Broncos, who once banked on him as their franchise quarterback with a massive five-year, $245 million extension, are still paying a jaw-dropping $37.79 million post-release. This bizarre setup is thanks to an offset clause that deducts his Steelers salary from Denver’s payout. As Wilson leads Pittsburgh, the Broncos are stuck with an $85 million dead cap hit spread across 2024 and 2025.

Now, Daniel Jones might soon find himself in a similar boat. Released by the Giants, his next team will likely scoop him up at a bargain, while New York foots the bulk of his paycheck—a common tale for big-contract QBs who fizzle out too soon.

Unlike the Steelers’ QB, whose fresh start revitalized his career, Jones might have limited suitors for 2024. The Colts emerge as a natural fit. Their offense, needing a mobile QB backup for Anthony Richardson, could thrive with Jones’ athleticism. Then there’s Miami, where Tua Tagovailoa’s injury woes make an experienced backup a necessity.

Meanwhile, the Ravens might think long-term, as Jones’ skill set complements Lamar Jackson‘s. Todd Monken’s offense could be a snug fit if Baltimore secures Daniel Jones as a contingency plan. “Jones can thrive as a backup or starter under the right system,” NFL insiders suggest—a chance to reset, just like Wilson.