The Giants seem to at least be considering benching Daniel Jones.
Head coach Brian Daboll’s weekly day-after-game vote of confidence for Jones as the starter moving forward was replaced Monday by a more tepid reply to the same old question.
“We’re evaluating our team at the bye week is what we are doing,” Daboll said.
There are different variables at play than other weeks, including the Giants (2-8) entering their bye week.
But that timing only adds to the logic behind making the decision now, when either second-stringer Drew Lock or third-stringer Tommy DeVito has the most possible time to prepare to start Nov. 24 against the Buccaneers.
Benching Jones no longer is solely about risking the $23 million injury guarantee in his contract that would trigger if the Giants want to release him and he can’t pass a physical next March.
The Giants are 3-13 in Jones’ 16 starts since signing a four-year, $160 million contract extension after a career-best year that included a playoff victory.
He threw two devastating red-zone interceptions Sunday during a 20-17 overtime loss to the Panthers.
Daboll said after the game in Germany that he did not consider pulling Jones at halftime.
The Giants fans who boo at home games and are loudest on social media are ready to move on from Jones after six seasons.
Even with Daboll calling plays this season after two seasons of leaving it in the hands of offensive coordinator Mike Kafka, the Giants rank second-to-last in the NFL in points per game.
Jones’ struggles have provided a sort of human shield for Daboll and general manager Joe Schoen, hiding some of the roster’s many other flaws like rushing defense, a lack of takeaways, special teams’ errors, draft disappointments and salary-cap squeezing.