Giants' Jones: Injury guarantee contributed to benching

New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones admitted that his $23-million injury guarantee played a role in the team's decision to demote him to third-string quarterback.

"Yeah, I think that was a piece of the conversation," Jones said Thursday, according to SNY. "I wanted to play, badly, and do what I could to play."

Jones was officially benched Monday after going 2-8 in 10 starts this season. He's thrown for 2,070 yards with eight touchdowns and seven interceptions in 2024.

If Jones suffers an injury and is unable to pass a physical this offseason, New York will be on the hook for $23 million. The Giants signed him to a four-year, $160-million contract in 2023, but he has no guaranteed salary remaining if he stays healthy.

The Denver Broncos benched Russell Wilson for the final two games of the 2023 season due to injury guarantees in his contract.

"I want to be on the field. I tried to do as much as I could to make that possible and create a situation where we were both comfortable," Jones said when asked if he would waive his injury designation.

He added: "It's the unfortunate business side of the game."

The 27-year-old Jones is behind Drew Lock and new starter Tommy DeVito on the depth chart. He was spotted at Thursday's practice getting reps at safety on the scout team defense, according to Dan Duggan of The Athletic.

"I got the injury guarantee so that's that, I understand it," Jones said when asked about his limited involvement in practice this week. "They don't want to take any risk. At that point, just do as you're told."

The Duke product opened his press conference by reading a prepared message in which he thanked Giants fans and praised the organization.

New York will face off against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday.