We all owe Daniel Jones an apology

Following his impressive preseason, Daniel Jones finally cracked the starting lineup for the New York Giants in Week 3. He’s due an apology after his stellar debut.

When Daniel Jones was selected with the sixth overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft, the football world was in an uproar. Why would the Giants, led by mad-man general manager Dave Gettleman, select that quarterback with that pick? Surely he’d be available with the 17th pick the Giants owned that night. Dwayne Haskins was right there and seemed as though he wanted to play in New York.

Before we apologize to Jones, maybe we should all ease up on Gettleman and company as well.

The boos rained down from the heavens on draft night. NFL fans mocked the organization. I laughed. You laughed. The entire NFL community, fans and media alike criticized the appalling selection. Giants fans wondered if the team was now stuck in mediocrity for another five years.

Jones shut it all out, put on the royal blue colors, and began his mission to prove us all wrong.

Then the preseason came. Jones played a fine tune, throwing 29-of-34 for 416 yards and two touchdowns. While it was impressive, the preseason only accounts for so much. In all reality, stats in the preseason don’t matter. Stats are only half the evaluation.

The other half was just how good he looked. Calm. Accurate. Ready.

Eli Manning had heat behind him. His 16-year hold on the Giants’ quarterback position was in jeopardy this season.

The NFL world had to prepare its statement of regret.

Although the front office assured it’d do everything in its power to keep Jones on the sideline, it couldn’t be done.

Manning didn’t give enough to win games and the Giants started 0-2 as a result.

Jones’s first start on the road against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers was everything the Giants could have hoped for.

Jones finished the game 23-36 for 336 yards for two touchdowns and added two more scores on the ground. He led a two-minute, 75-yard game-winning drive capped by his fourth touchdown of the night.

As we collectively clear our throats to humbly apologize to this 22-year-old phenomena, let’s remember there was a reason the kid was touted as a 1st-round pick. Let’s remember the adage of “getting your guy” in the NFL Draft.

We’re sorry Daniel Jones. Have a great career, kid.