New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones said Thursday that the organization’s decision not to exercise the fifth crack option on his rookie contract was “out of my control, out of my hands … it’s, what is it.”
That decision, of course, opens the door to the possibility that this could be the sixth overall pick of 2019’s final season with the Giants.
“I’m just going to prepare as much as I can so the team wins games,” Jones said. “That’s certainly what I’m focusing on.”
Jones said it was “natural” to think about his future.
“I think you’re better off focusing on what you’re doing now and preparing as much as you can now,” Jones said. “Use every day to prepare. We are in an important part of the off-season right now, launching our OTA practices. They are valuable opportunities that you cannot afford to miss. That’s what I’m concentrating on.”
Jones said he’s not focused on what he needs to do to get another contract from the Giants.
“I think it’s more about winning games and knowing that if we win games and have a good season that will do a lot of things for everyone,” Jones said. “Everything we do revolves around this goal.”
First-year head coach Brian Daboll wants Jones, who has been slashing turnovers the past two seasons but has only 21 touchdown passes in his last 25 games, to be ready to “make it loose” when he gets the chance.
“Yeah look, we want to make sure we protect the ball. But again, you can’t go out there and play scared. Be smart, not reckless, if you will. If he has a shot to the right, let it go,” Daboll said.
“There will be things that happen in every game. The defense will make a good play, there could be a tipped ball. We have to take good care of the football, but I want him to take it easy.”
“You never want to throw interceptions, but I think it’s just the idea of being aggressive and taking your shots and seeing if you can make a difference,” Jones said. “Let the receivers know that’s what we’re going to do, we’re going to give you all the opportunity to make plays and we’re counting on you to play in situations.”