After falling to 0-2 in a 28-14 defeat by the Buffalo Bills, the New York Giants announced a change at quarterback. Rookie Daniel Jones will start his first game versus the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Eli Manning and the Giants offense has failed to do much so far and the team decided now is the time to pass the torch. The team overall doesn’t look good outside of running back Saquon Barkley, however, right now is not the best time for Daniel Jones to make his debut. Here is why New York should have been patient.
Why The Giants Should Have Waited To Start Daniel Jones
Patience Has Proven To Work
Arguably the biggest reason to let Daniel Jones sit and learn is that other rookie quarterbacks have done so and used the time to prepare for NFL defenses and made it worth it. Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes only played the last game of his rookie season since the Chiefs had clinched the division and had little to play for.
After sitting for a year he took over as the starter last season and threw for over 5,000 yards and 50 touchdowns. The reigning MVP learned behind quarterback Alex Smith and head coach Andy Reid, he used the time to learn and grow and has since proven the time sitting was worth it.
Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers played little in his first three seasons behind Hall of Fame quarterback Brett Favre. He’s currently 16th all-time in passing yards and 10th in passing touchdowns. Keep in mind he only played seven games his first three seasons. He was arguably the best quarterback and the best player for at least five seasons.
There are other examples of young quarterbacks sitting and learning before getting their shot. Names such as Steve Young and Tom Brady come to mind. As long as Manning is there he is a valuable resource to answer questions Jones has and to give him guidance as to what it takes to be an NFL quarterback. Since Manning’s still a Giant, there’s no need to rush Jones onto the field right now.
The Schedule Says To Wait
The next two games for New York are vs the Buccaneers and Washington Redskins. Tampa Bay just beat the Carolina Panthers who many see as a possible playoff team. The Redskins always seem to play the Giants closely, and in the last five matchups, New York has gone 3-2.
After Washington, the schedule gets significantly harder as the Minnesota Vikings come to town followed by a trip to Massachusetts against the defending Super Bowl champion New England Patriots. New England head coach Bill Belichick is 10-0 at home vs rookie quarterbacks, there’s not much to believe that Jones is the one to break that streak.
Starting in week seven, the schedule looks much more favorable to put Jones in. The Giants host the Arizona Cardinals and rookie quarterback Kyler Murray. Cornerback Patrick Peterson will return from a six-game suspension, however, New York could definitely win this game.
The Giants then go to Detroit and should have a chance against the Lions. The Dallas Cowboys come to New York followed by a matchup with the New York Jets. In three of the four games in this stretch, the Giants play in Metlife Stadium.
The next three weeks will be difficult vs the Chicago Bears, Packers, and Philadelphia Eagles. To finish the season New York faces the Miami Dolphins and Redskins before a week 17 home game versus the Eagles. Jones has a chance to go 5-5 in this stretch. It gives him a combination of winnable games and some difficult ones to learn from.
Trust The Process
Rebuilds take time, and some players need some time to adjust to the NFL game. That can mean they struggle at first, but over time they show improvement and become great players. This can be said about most of the players on New York currently. Most of them are young and need some time and opportunities to grow before being fairly accessed.
Giants fans seem to want greatness now, and many lack the patience that a proper rebuild needs. It’s going to be hard for the next few years. It is unfair to grade any players in their rookie year unless they are great from the start. As a fanbase, they need to give the players a few years and if they haven’t improved move on.
Jones has all the pressure and expectations in the world on him. He has to replace the greatest quarterback in the history of one of the most franchises in sports. He’s only a rookie, and if giving Manning a few more games end up helping Jones develop it’s worth it.
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