Tom Brady slams Daniel Jones' Giants exit as ungrateful
Nov 27, 2024; Dallas, Texas, USA; Former NFL quarterback Tom Brady watches the game between the Dallas Mavericks and the New York Knicks during the second quarter at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
Tom Brady isn’t holding back on his thoughts about Daniel Jones’ exit from the New York Giants. The legendary quarterback questioned Jones’ decision to request a release, highlighting how it contradicts his own approach to adversity throughout his 23-year NFL career.
Jones, who signed a $160 million contract just 18 months ago, reportedly approached Giants owner John Mara to ask for his release. The team granted his request following a tough season where Jones struggled and was ultimately benched.
Tom Brady’s take on Daniel Jones’ decision
During Thursday’s broadcast, Brady voiced his disagreement with Jones’ approach, saying he would’ve handled things differently.
“I don’t know how the whole situation went down,” Brady stated, “but to think that you would ask for a release from a team that committed a lot to you is maybe different than how I would’ve handled that.”
Brady reflected on how he navigated challenges during his own career, emphasizing resilience and loyalty to his teammates.
“Some things didn’t go the way I wanted, but the people that mattered the most to me were the guys in the locker room. I showed up every day,” he said. “I don’t care if they asked me to be scout team safety, scout team quarterback. I was going to do whatever I could to help the team win.”
Context behind Jones’ release
Jones’ struggles this season were glaring. He led the team to a 2-8 record in his first 10 games before being benched. However, his demotion wasn’t solely about performance.
His contract included an injury guarantee, which meant the Giants risked paying an additional $23 million if he sustained a significant injury. To avoid this, the team relegated him to fourth on the depth chart and even had him practicing as a scout team safety.
After being benched, Jones issued a heartfelt statement thanking the Giants organization and fans. The next day, he requested his release, officially ending his six-year run with the team.
Read More: Report : Daniel Jones is signing with the Vikings
Did Jones owe the Giants more?
The optics of Jones’ exit are complex. On one hand, his play was undeniably inconsistent, with over 70 career turnovers tarnishing his time in New York. On the other, the Giants’ decision to bench him and use him as a scout team safety suggests the franchise had already moved on, at least mentally.
Starting fresh may be Jones’ best chance at salvaging his career. Players like Baker Mayfield and Sam Darnold found renewed purpose by joining organizations with stronger cultures. For Jones, staying with a team like the Giants—one that hasn’t offered much stability in recent years—could have hindered his growth.
Read More: Skip Bayless dubs Tom Brady the ‘Daniel Jones’ of broadcasting
Image: © Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
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