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"I'm still happy we gave (Jones) that contract
because I thought he played really well for us in '22," Mara
said Thursday, via the team website. "Last year, he got hurt and
let's be honest, when he was playing, we weren't blocking
anybody. So, let's give him a chance with a better offensive
line with some weapons around him to see what he can do."
The Giants opted to give Jones a dynamic receiving target by
selecting Malik Nabers with the sixth overall pick of the 2024
NFL Draft.
"I was nervous about giving up too much to go and get a
quarterback, but I was prepared to let (general manager Joe
Schoen) do that if that's what they wanted to do," Mara said.
"We made a decision to stay with Daniel and get a weapon for
him, and I think that's going to work out."
Giants head coach Brian Daboll said Friday that he has been
impressed with Jones' progress as he bids to return from the ACL
injury.
"You forget about it sometimes because he looks normal out
there," Daboll said. "But, for what he's done eight months, or
eight and a half months, whatever it may be, and to come back
and take every rep. He feels good.
"I've talked to him about different things. Hey, ‘Scrambling,
make sure you feel comfortable out of the pocket, make sure you
feel comfortable moving up in the pocket. Making plays with your
feet.' He's been right on track. It's pretty impressive to me in
terms of you have that injury, this is where he's at, this is
what he's looked like physically. I'm proud of him."
Jones, 27, finished with two touchdown passes and six
interceptions in six games in 2023. He also missed three games
with a neck injury.
Jones is 22-36-1 as a starter with 62 touchdown passes and 40
picks in 60 games (59 starts) since being selected by the Giants
with the No. 6 overall pick in 2019 NFL Draft.
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