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New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones is dealing with a lot of pressure after a tough Week 1.
In the 28-6 loss to the Minnesota Vikings, he threw two interceptions, didn’t score any touchdowns, and finished with a poor passer rating of 44.3.
With fans, critics, and even other players pointing fingers at him, Jones ignores the outside criticism and stays focused on his team.
When asked about all the negative feedback and possibly losing his starting spot, Jones clarified where his focus is, saying, “I’ve said a number of times I’m concerned about the people in this building. I think I’ve got plenty of help, plenty of good coaching, and plenty of good teammates to work with here.”
In other words, he’s not letting outside opinions get to him. And he’s locked in on improving with the Giants.
Vikings linebacker Jonathan Greenard even mentioned that Minnesota’s defense started to “feel a little bit bad for him” during the game.
Sure, the boos from the crowd added to the pressure, but Jones knows that dealing with this kind of heat is part of being an NFL quarterback, especially in a tough market like New York.
He’s got a clear goal: “I’m playing to win games. Playing to lead the team to score points and win games. That’s always been my focus.”
But Jones’ recent struggles also draw attention to his past experiences. He missed most of the 2023 season due to injury, watching from the sidelines as Tommy DeVito stepped up and performed surprisingly well in his absence.
In the game’s aftermath, that brief moment led to a strong fan push for a change at quarterback, but the Giants ultimately stayed with Jones.
Unfortunately for Jones, the start of the 2024 season has not been kind to him—the pressure to deliver has intensified.
Even with all the talk, Jones remains confident: “I’m focused on doing my job and playing well, and confident I can do that.”
He’s aware of the challenging games ahead, including matchups against teams like Cleveland, Dallas, Seattle, and Cincinnati. Still, he can bounce back in Week 2 against the Washington Commanders.
It’s obvious their defense hasn’t been strong, as they already allowed 37 points in a loss to the Buccaneers, but this could give Jones a shot at turning things around.
Former Giants teammate Kyle Rudolph also shared his thoughts on Jones’ struggles.
During an appearance on “Up & Adams,” Rudolph said, “The Daniel Jones that I saw on Sunday is not the Daniel Jones that I watched take them to the divisional round of the playoffs.”
He noticed Jones’s confidence seemed shattered, adding, “His confidence looks completely destroyed. How can you blame him? Every time he goes out there, he’s fighting for his life.”
Rudolph, who holds Jones in high regard from their year together, expressed concern over the quarterback’s form, recalling a more dynamic version of Jones from their playoff run.
He further added, “He’s got to get his confidence back… That wasn’t the guy that I know and that I know he has the ability to be.”
The former tight end believes Jones is still a talented quarterback, capable of finding his previous form if given the right support.
Rudolph also pointed out that the Giants might have hurt Jones by letting go of star running back Saquon Barkley, who moved to the Eagles and had a huge debut with three touchdowns.
Meanwhile, the Giants struggled to score in their game. And losing a playmaker like Barkley has made it even harder for Jones to succeed.
“Can we possibly protect him?” Rudolph asked, highlighting the need for the Giants to give Jones better support.
For Jones, this is a make-or-break moment. Understandably, he’s been shaken, but the upcoming game against Washington is a chance to change the narrative.
He has a history of playing well against the Commanders, so it could help quiet the critics if he performs well.
But time is running out, and the Giants need results soon if they want to stay competitive.
Jones knows he has to rise above the criticism, regain his confidence, and lead his team to success.
Plus, the pressure isn’t going away, but his focus on doing better and winning games is what will determine his future with the Giants.
He’s shown flashes of potential before, but now he needs to deliver, or his time as the Giants’ quarterback could be in jeopardy.