The Jets and Giants, facing quarterback uncertainties, meet up to close preseason
The Giants have a quarterback problem.
Daniel Jones’s readiness to capably command the offense is suspect after his performance on Saturday against the Houston Texans on the road in the Giants’ second preseason game. Conversely, the Jets have no trepidations regarding their starting QB’s abilities.
Aaron Rodgers is one of the sport’s all-time great talents. But at 40-years-old and missing all but two minutes and four snaps of the 2023 campaign after tearing his left Achilles tendon in the Jets’ season opener, durability is what’s most in question.
The Jets and Giants will match up this Saturday (7:30 p.m.) at MetLife Stadium, their shared home, for their final preseason game ahead of Week 1 of the schedule when the Jets play away in San Francisco versus the 49ers on Monday night, September 9. The Giants, meanwhile, will begin their season by hosting the Minnesota Vikings on September 8 in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
The 27-year-old Jones, now in his sixth season with the Giants after they drafted him No. 6 overall in 2019, missed 11 of the team’s 17 games last season, first due to a neck injury and then a torn ACL in his right knee sustained on November 5 in Week 9. He exhibited anxiety, uncertainty and unsteady timing in the pocket against the Texans in the 28-10 loss.
Jones was 11 for 18 for 138 yards, but continued to exhibit his turnover issues that have plagued him and frustrated the Giants fanbase for much of his pro career, throwing two interceptions, one while being sacked—ultimately returned for a 5-yard touchdown by Jalen Pitre of the Texans in the first quarter. Jones, in his first game since the knee injury, played the entire first half.
“That’s what these games are for too. Some evaluation part of it, but, obviously you have a plan going into it,” said Giants head coach Brian Daboll. “Again, there [were] some good things. Good to get him out here and then a couple things we’ll learn from and that’s what these things are for.”
Jones struck a positive chord on his return. “I feel good physically. Yeah, the knee felt good … grateful for all the people who’ve helped me get to this point, all the doctors and trainers and staff we have here who have helped me.
“It was fun to be out there. Didn’t start perfect, like I said, but we got going and I felt good.”
The Giants’ offense is still establishing its identity under assistant head coach and offensive coordinator Mike Kafka after the departure of two-time Pro-Bowler Saquon Barkley in free-agency this past winter. Barkley inked a three-year, $37.75 million deal with the Philadelphia Eagles, the Giants’ longtime NFC East rival.
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