A new horizon.
It is not shocking the New York Giants have decided to move on from Daniel Jones given his recent demotion to fourth string quarterback.
What is shocking, is the timing.
With a four-year, $160 million contract, it would be madness for any of the other 31 teams to sign Jones from waivers.
It is more likely that any interest team will wait and look to pay Jones the league minimum for the remainder of the season.
This does make a move for the quarterback more appealing – but is it enough to justify signing the former Duke quarterback?
The Good
I do believe there is upside to kicking the tyres on a former number six overall pick. Firstly, he is an upgrade on what the Las Vegas Raiders currently have.
Jones in New York has been far from great, but he has shown the ability to look competent when the pieces are around him. Or he has a big-time playmaker like Malik Nabers.
Combined with a rushing ability that could open up something for a floundering run game, Jones could at-least raise the floor of the Raiders offense.
Next, the cost. Any team acquiring the services of Jones, will be doing so for the league minimum and pro-rata across the remaining games.
Should the Raiders pick up Jones – and he is then allowed to hit free-agency – Las Vegas could also be in line to acquire a compensatory pick.
In a team that needs an infusion of talent, this could be hugely beneficial to use on a player, or for added flexibility to move around in the draft.
The Bad
This could be an extensive list, but I am not in the business of kicking a player who has taken plenty of metaphorical and physical lumps during his time in the Big Apple.
Although an improvement, Jones has shown just as much of an ability to be almost non-functional at times when the situation is not good enough.
If we are being honest, even the best at the position would struggle in Las Vegas currently. Jones is not the rising tide to lift all ships.
So yes, Jones is an improvement, but is he that big of an improvement? No.
With Jones, and some easier games in the run in, it would be entirely possible to stumble into wins late in the season and ruin a top five draft pick for a coaching staff that likely will not be here next year.
The Ugly
Unfortunately, the Raiders need to endure the pain for the remaining fixtures.
Their best bet is to hit the offseason with cap space, picks, new staff and not be drawn into the temptation of signing another mediocre quarterback.
