DALLAS — The New York Giants released quarterback Daniel Jones at his request after benching the former No. 6 overall pick in the 2019 draft for 2023 undrafted free agent signing Tommy DeVito.
As soon as the news spread, the Internet did what the Internet does with many high-profile prospects: Link said player to the Dallas Cowboys without merit. The comedic part about these social media rumors (or wishes depending on who you ask) centered around the prospect of Jones playing his former team on Thanksgiving Day.
Folks on X, formerly known as Twitter, desperately grasped at straws trying to link Jones to the Cowboys, including his picture allegedly appearing on the Cowboys' website.
The reality of the situation is – as comical as it would be – Jones to the Cowboys won't happen. Based on experience, the Cowboys almost certainly prefer to play against Jones than to envision him playing quarterback for Dallas.
There are numerous reasons the Cowboys and Jones should have little or no interest in one another.
First is timing – Jones won’t clear waivers and be available to sign until late Monday afternoon – 72 hours before the Cowboys play his former team on Thanksgiving Day at AT&T Stadium. While it might create interest in an otherwise unattractive holiday game, it doesn’t make sense from the Cowboys’ perspective – and it is difficult to imagine the Cowboys being attractive to Jones.
It is doubtful he could have the necessary knowledge and command of the Cowboys’ offense to play in that game, which would leave only five games remaining in the season.
It might seem the Cowboys offer an easy path to playing time since they’re currently playing backup Cooper Rush. But Jones should be prioritizing having quality players around him to ensure success with his next team. The Cowboys don’t offer that opportunity.
There’s a reason Rush was 5-1 as the starter in previous seasons but is 0-2 as the replacement for injured Dak Prescott this season. The Cowboys have scored just 19 points combined in Rush’s two starts.
The Cowboys are committed to Prescott, his contract making him the highest-paid player in the league begins next season. So, there’s no possibility of Jones being the long-term quarterback for the franchise, which is virtually certain to be replacing Mike McCarthy and the coaching staff this offseason.
The failure Jones shared with the Giants will be clearly remembered by the Cowboys as they evaluate Jones since they competed against him twice a year. Those contests were filled with images of Jones taking sacks, fumbling and being intercepted.
The Cowboys continued their success against the Giants in Week 4 this season, improving to 14-1 against New York since 2017. Their .933 win percentage is the highest by any team versus a division opponent over that span. Prescott has won 13 consecutive games versus Giants, which is tied for the second-longest win streak by any starting quarterback against a single opponent since 1950.
DeMarcus Lawrence recorded a sack in that game. It was his ninth career sack against Daniel Jones, his highest sack total against any quarterback in his career.
Last season, the Cowboys swept the Giants by a combined score of 89-17. The Cowboys outscored the Giants by 72 points in their two 2023 wins. The previous best against New York was 55 points in 1966.
It's doubtful the Cowboys have been favorably impressed by their experiences playing against Jones.
Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy even told reporters on Friday they’re not in the business of adding players based on upcoming matchups against their old teams.
“He was a prospect I really liked coming out, but we kind of have our head down right now and really focused on working with the guys we have here,” McCarthy said.
A team source also told WFAA Cowboys Insider Ed Werder “we’re staying with our guys.”
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