How will Daniel Jones-less Giants respond after one of the craziest weeks in team history?

In case you forgot — and we can’t blame you if you did — the Giants actually play a football game this week.
But before we get to that, let’s quickly recap how many decisions they’ve botched since Monday, shall we?
On Monday, the team benched quarterback Daniel Jones — both for financial and football-related reasons. Jones had a $23 million injury guarantee in his contract (which would have hamstrung the team’s future cap situation), but also a disappointing 24-44-1 record in six seasons.
Shortly after the news broke, the team curiously named third-string quarterback Tommy DeVito — not backup Drew Lock, whom they signed to a $5 million deal this offseason — the new starter. Jones was relegated to No. 3 on the depth chart.
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On Tuesday, they signed quarterback Tim Boyle, which raised even more questions about what Jones’ next steps were.
That night, FOX Sports reported that there was “disappointment” among Giants players over how the situation was held, with one anonymous player stating, “We’re not idiots. They did it because of money… To try to blame him is trash, and making him third string is weak as f—.”
On Wednesday, Jones spend most of practice from the sidelines with his hands shoved in his hand warmer pouch. It was clear he was the fourth quarterback. It was clear he should have been shut down à la Derek Carr in 2022.
On Thursday, Jones played scout team safety at practice — which further stoked an already volatile situation. Jones delivered an emotional prepared statement thanking ownership, his teammates, coaches and Giants staffers after practice.
And on Friday morning, Jones and Giants ownership agreed to his mutual release, which leaves him free to sign with any team after he clears waivers. Coach Brian Daboll said the Giants did not expect this outcome.
It was one of the craziest weeks in recent franchise history.
So, please, let’s finally talk about the actual football.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-6) roll into MetLife Stadium on Sunday. The Bucs have lost four (close) games in a row — to the Ravens, Falcons, Chiefs and 49ers — so they’ll be plenty motivated against this reeling club.
How will the Giants — who obviously weren’t playing well even pre-Jones benching — respond after a distraction-filled week?
The answer to that question depends on which version of Tommy DeVito they’ll get.
Will he be the highly-motivated QB who tossed 595 yards, five touchdowns and 0 interceptions in upset wins over the Commanders, Patriots and Packers last season?
Or will he be the pumpkin who was (smartly) benched for Tyrod Taylor at halftime in Week 16 against Philadelphia?
As fun as the “Tommy Cutlets” story was, here’s some important context, too: the Giants defense had 12 takeaways in his three wins. They have eight takeaways total this season.
Will the switch from Jones bring a spark to this struggling secondary?
“I do hope that that turnover spigot turns on,” said defensive backs coach Jerome Henderson. “So that we can get some, turn the ball over and give our offense some more short fields and help them that way.”
And how about the offense? The Giants have the eighth worst offensive grade, according to Pro Football Focus, and they’ve amassed the sixth fewest yards in the NFL (3,097).
Can DeVito, who hasn’t seen the regular season field in almost a calendar year, finally bring this terrible to at least respectable levels? Stud rookie Malik Nabers seems to think so.
“I took a couple of reps with him during camp. I know he got a steamer for an arm, so I got some catches with him after practice… I get open pretty well, I create a lot of separation. So, I’m sure he’s going to be able to see me on different routes. When I get open, he’s going to be able to deliver the ball.”
Even Jones’ most vocal supporters seem to believe in DeVito. While some fans would love the Giants to lose out, the players have made it known that they’re trying to right the ship amid the five-game losing streak.
“He showed his flashes last year, obviously,” said Dexter Lawrence, who was taken in the same draft as Jones. “And I have trust in him, and I trust in what the team has seen from him, so I’m excited.”
That all sounds like wishful thinking. Sure, they might snag a few wins along the way — they face the three-win Cowboys and four-win Saints after this week — but don’t expect all of the Giants’ problems to disappear now that Jones is off the team. If anything, this week’s drama might leave a lasting stain on them in their final seven games.
But, that’s why the games are played.
Let’s see if these Giants will go down last year’s 2-8 to 6-11 path, or spiral their way to a top 3 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.
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Ryan Novozinsky may be reached at [email protected]. You can follow him on X @ryannovo62.