Insider shares huge update on potential Giants quarterback controversy

ESPN NFL reporter Jordan Raanan said earlier this month that it was "hard to envision" a healthy Daniel Jones not starting at quarterback for the New York Giants over backup Drew Lock in Week 1 this September. 

NFL insider Connor Hughes of SNY offered an interesting update on the situation for a piece published on Friday. 

"Big Blue will head into camp with Lock behind Jones," Hughes wrote. "The whispers are getting louder that the quarterbacking depth chart is written in pencil, though. (Head coach Brian) Daboll will play the player he believes gives the Giants the best chance. Understandable, considering what might happen if things go poorly."

Jones struggled when in the lineup last season, has dealt with two worrisome neck injuries since the fall of 2021 and is recovering from the torn right ACL he suffered on Nov. 5. 

Some previously suggested Daboll and general manager Joe Schoen could play Lock over Jones so that Jones' salary for 2025 doesn't become guaranteed because of a new injury setback. Jones essentially is in a contract year, as the Giants can escape his deal next offseason. 

Daboll and Schoen reportedly were scouting potential replacements for Jones as far back as early 2022 before the signal-caller guided the Giants to a road playoff win in January 2023. Schoen explored moving up from the sixth pick of this year's draft to the No. 3 spot in an attempt to land Drake Maye, but the New England Patriots ultimately used that asset to grab the North Carolina quarterback. 

"The idea of having someone around to push Jones is a good one," Hughes continued. "The worry is that Lock isn’t a good enough option." 

A 2019 second-round draft pick, Lock has a career regular-season record of 9-14 as a starter. In total, he's completed 59.7% of 786 career pass attempts for 5,283 yards with 28 touchdowns and 23 interceptions. 

Jones seemingly is on track to be cleared in time for training camp, and he probably gives the Giants the best chance out of all of the quarterbacks on their roster to beat the Minnesota Vikings in Week 1 and the Washington Commanders in Week 2. If, however, he fails to win either of those games, Daboll could get Lock ready to play at the Cleveland Browns in Week 3 on Sept. 22.

As for Hughes' "if things go poorly" line, Giants co-owner John Mara could give former New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick a call if Big Blue is near the bottom of the overall NFL standings around Christmastime.