Daniel Jones, a former quarterback for the New York Giants, is reportedly being pursued by a number of teams, including Baltimore. After he clears waivers on Monday afternoon, the 27-year-old veteran is anticipated to become a free agent.
The Ravens and Minnesota Vikings are two of the most likely clubs to sign Jones, who supposedly wants to join a team that is in the running for a postseason spot, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. According to ESPN’s Football Power Index, the Ravens, who are 7-4 and in second place in the AFC North, have an 18.7% chance of winning the Super Bowl and a 97.4% chance of making the playoffs.Jones may also choose to play for the Miami Dolphins, Detroit Lions, San Francisco 49ers, and Las Vegas Raiders.
According to team owner John Mara, Jones was benched by the Giants in favor of third-string quarterback Tommy DeVito before being cut Friday in a “mutually agreed” move that would allow him to sign with another team before the season ended. In order to avoid a $23 million injury guarantee in the event that Jones failed a medical this following summer, New York severed relations with the 2019 first-round draft pick, who in March 2023 signed a four-year, $160 million contract.
Lamar Jackson, a two-time NFL MVP, is the quarterback for the Ravens, but there aren’t many choices behind him. Josh Johnson, a 38-year-old journeyman who hasn’t started a game since replacing an injured Jackson in a 2021 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals, is the backup. The practice squad includes Devin Leary, a rookie selected in the sixth round of the NFL who had a rough preseason.
A team would not have to cut a player from its 53-man roster in order to sign Jones because he could join the practice squad. Due to Jones’ inclusion in the compensatory free agency formula this offseason, the Ravens also stand to gain from a possible additional draft pick.
Despite having a rough start to his career as the unexpected sixth overall pick in the 2019 draft, Jones had a successful season in 2022 under coach Brian Daboll, helping the Giants advance to the playoffs and defeat the Vikings in the wild card round. However, he struggled during New York’s 1-5 start to the 2023 season after signing the agreement, and in a Week 9 game against the Las Vegas Raiders, he tore the ACL in his right knee.
The Giants were expected to make the playoffs going into the season, but they have fallen to 2-8, which is tied for the poorest record in the league. Jones has rushed for 265 yards and two touchdowns, completed 63.3% of his throws for 2,070 yards with eight touchdowns and seven interceptions, and ranked 26th in QBR and 28th in projected points added per play. Jones has a career passing total of 14,582 yards, 70 touchdowns, and 47 interceptions while starting, going 24-44-1.
