His reign as Eli Manning’s successor had come to an unceremonious end, forced to the sidelines because of a $23 million injury guarantee the Giants had no interest in paying Daniel Jones.

“It was hard. We talked a lot during that time,” Jones’ former Duke coach, David Cutcliffe, told Serby Says. “Because he was there, and because of regulations and rules, couldn’t do anything. He couldn’t work out, he couldn’t do anything at the facility. That’s going from the top to the bottom, with a hard landing.”

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Cutcliffe — who had coached Peyton and Eli Manning in college before Jones — recalled his emotions when Jones requested his release, and he and the Giants mutually parted ways.

“I was sad,” Cutcliffe said. “I was involved with the Giants that entire time from the beginning of Eli to the end of Daniel. I was extremely sad.