New York Giants

Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders and New York Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers played catch on a New York City street on Friday.

Shedeur & Malik Nabers linked up in New York 👀

(via @DeionSandersJr, welloffforever/IG) pic.twitter.com/l5klip5EOH

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) December 14, 2024

Sanders is in town to support Buffaloes teammate Travis Hunter, who is a heavy favorite to win the Heisman Trophy on Saturday.

Sanders and Nabers could very well be Giants teammates next year.

If the season ended today, the 2-11 Giants would hold the No. 2 overall pick in the NFL draft, with the 2-11 Las Vegas Raiders currently at No. 1 by virtue of having a weaker strength-of-schedule winning percentage.

New York needs a quarterback and could land Sanders, who very well could be QB1 and perhaps the first prospect off the board.

Per Sports Illustrated's Bryan Fischer, Giants general manager Joe Schoen and director of player personnel Tim McDonald watched Colorado host (and beat) Utah 49-24 on Nov. 16. Ten days later, Schoen attended a Colorado practice and was seen chatting with head coach Deion Sanders.

New York Giants Gm Joe Schoen was at Colorado Practice today 👀

🎥 : @DeionSandersJr pic.twitter.com/wwcpciQgaY

— We Coming 🦬 (@SkoBuffsGoBuffs) November 26, 2024

ESPN's Field Yates notably projects Sanders to go first overall to the Giants in his latest mock draft.

Nabers talked about Sanders after practice Wednesday. Per Ryan Dunleavy of the New York Post, the two were on opposite 7-on-7 teams at football camp hosted by Pro Football Hall of Famer Deion Sanders.

"Me and him are in the same class, and it was always like I'm aware of my competition," Nabers said after Wednesday's practice. "He wasn't in competition with me, but it was just the fact that it was Deion Sanders and Deion Sanders' son so you always wanted to watch what those guys were doing. They did it at a high level wherever they went, so it's amazing and impressive to see what he has done."

Nabers noted that he doesn't know Sanders, or Miami quarterback/Heisman finalist Cam Ward, a candidate to be QB1 and the No. 1 overall draft pick.

"I don't have a relationship with any of those guys," Nabers said. "I know about Shedeur, and I've seen a few games of Cam Ward. Those guys are amazing players."

It does seem like Sanders and Nabers are getting to know each other a little bit, though. Perhaps, in about nine months time, Sanders will be throwing dimes to Nabers across the Hudson River at New Jersey's MetLife Stadium.

The New York Giants may have more growing pains on the horizon.

An NFL executive told ESPN's Jordan Raanan that the team is likely still a few seasons away from being an NFC contender and that the roster still needs some significant help.

"This Giants roster isn't all that close to becoming a real contender," Raanan wrote. "One NFL personnel executive estimated it 'will take two-three years' to build them into a contending team. Should it really take that long? Brad Holmes took over the Lions in 2021. They were in the NFC Championship by Year 3 and are the favorites to win the Super Bowl this season."

The Giants sit at 2-11 and have lost nine consecutive games. The team has a shot at this year's No. 1 overall pick and will likely select a new quarterback with its top selection.

New York cut ties with former starter Daniel Jones, who had thrown for 2,070 yards with eight touchdowns and seven interceptions in 10 games. The Giants are rolling with Tommy DeVito at quarterback and hope to drum up some excitement to finish the year on a solid note.

The Giants also have difficult decisions to make regarding head coach Brian Daboll and general manager Joe Schoen, as the duo is in its third season at the helm and has encountered two tough years following a surprisingly strong 2022.

Giving them an opportunity to build a roster would maintain continuity, but the significant gap between the Giants and the contenders in the NFC also could make an organizational reset an intriguing option.

Tommy DeVito will be the New York Giants' starting quarterback for the second time this season when they host the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday.

According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, Giants head coach Brian Daboll announced Wednesday that DeVito will get the start since quarterback Drew Lock is dealing with a heel injury that has forced him to wear a walking boot.

DeVito started the Giants' Week 12 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but he missed their Week 13 game against the Dallas Cowboys due to a forearm injury.

Lock started again in New York's Week 14 loss to the New Orleans Saints last weekend, while DeVito served as his backup.

After playing collegiately at Syracuse and Illinois, DeVito was an undrafted free agent, signing with the Giants in 2023.

Although he began the season on New York's practice squad, DeVito was elevated to the active roster once Daniel Jones suffered a season-ending injury, and he ended up starting six games.

DeVito exceeded expectations, going 3-3, while completing 64.0 percent of his passes for 1,101 yards, eight touchdowns and three interceptions, along with rushing for 195 yards and a score over nine total appearances.

Given DeVito's solid play last season, the Giants decided to keep him on the roster in 2024, even after signing Lock to serve as the backup to Jones.

The Giants decided to bench Jones after a 2-8 start, and they subsequently released him, leaving Lock and DeVito to vie for the starting job.

DeVito got the first crack at the gig, going 21-of-31 for 189 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions in a 30-7 loss to the Bucs.

In two starts after DeVito injured his forearm, Lock largely struggled, going 0-2 and completing 51.8 percent of his passes for 405 yards, no touchdowns and two picks, although he did rush for 116 yards and a score.

At 2-11, the Giants are tied for the worst record in the league this season, and they are undoubtedly looking ahead to the 2025 NFL draft where they will likely attempt to select their new franchise quarterback.

In reality, the Giants would benefit from losing as many games down the stretch as possible, but if DeVito at least looks competent in doing so, he could potentially lock himself in as the backup next season, or even the temporary start until the rookie first-round pick is ready to step in.

It starts with a game against a Ravens team that is among the most talented in the league, although it has struggled against the pass defensively, allowing a league-worst 264.9 passing yards per game.

Multiple preeminent members of the New York Giants organization gave their thoughts on the banner flown above MetLife Stadium asking team owner John Mara to "fix this dumpster fire" on Sunday.

A banner flew over MetLife Stadium before the Giants' game against the Saints with the following message:

"Mr. Mara enough - plz fix this dumpster fire" pic.twitter.com/JVm8u3vNA3

— Giants Videos (@SNYGiants) December 8, 2024

Head coach Brian Daboll explained that he initially wasn't aware of the sign, but acknowledged that he wasn't pleased with New York's 2-11 record either.

Brian Daboll asked if he’s embarrassed that fans are flying planes over MetLife calling for sweeping changes. He says he’s disappointed the #Giants lost.

— Connor Hughes (@Connor_J_Hughes) December 8, 2024

Brian Daboll says he was unaware of the plane flying over MetLife.

“We’ve won two games. I’m not happy either.” #Giants pic.twitter.com/i6fr2on7Vi

— Connor Hughes (@Connor_J_Hughes) December 8, 2024

As for rookie wide receiver Malik Nabers, he removed himself from discussion surrounding the identity of the person who paid for the plane to fly the banner.

In the search for who paid for the plane that flew over the Meadowlands before today’s game, we can officially eliminate Giants rookie WR Malik Nabers. pic.twitter.com/7kKcSKo1Y9

— Ralph Vacchiano (@RalphVacchiano) December 8, 2024

The Giants fell to the New Orleans Saints by the final score of 14-11 on Sunday.

New York was held below 20 points for the ninth time this season, as its offense continued to struggle with Drew Lock under center.

Lock finished 21-of-49 for 227 yards and an interception without recording a touchdown, picking up 59 rush yards on five attempts.

Nabers was targeted 10 times, but he hauled in just five catches for a team-high 79 yards. The 21-year-old has been one of the few bright spots for the Giants in 2024, even though he hasn't been able to find the end zone since Week 3.

New York was held to just three points through three quarters on Sunday, but Daboll's team had an opportunity to tie the game with 11 seconds left in regulation. A 35-yard field goal attempt by Graham Gano to potentially send the contest to overtime was blocked, though.

Kick is no good. Saints hang on to win! pic.twitter.com/90AmV41piH

— NFL (@NFL) December 8, 2024

It's been a rough season for the Giants, as the defeat to New Orleans represented their eighth consecutive loss. Daniel Jones opened the year as New York's starting quarterback, although he was benched after struggling and later requested his release before signing with the Minnesota Vikings.

Daboll's long-term future with the team is uncertain, as Fox Sports' Jordan Schultz reported on Nov. 18 that there was a "growing sense" he was "coaching for his job" over the Giants' final seven regular-season contests.

New York will now attempt to snap its losing streak against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 15.

Drew Lock will remain the New York Giants' starting quarterback this Sunday at home against the New Orleans Saints, per head coach Brian Daboll to reporters.

On Thanksgiving at the Dallas Cowboys, Lock started in place of Tommy DeVito, who was out with right forearm injury. Daboll told reporters that DeVito is "improving" but will be limited at Wednesday's practice.

DeVito initially got the call to start on Nov. 24 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after the Giants benched Daniel Jones, who then requested (and was granted) his release.

DeVito became an overnight celebrity last season when the North Jersey native led the struggling Giants to three straight wins.

His 2024 debut did not go as well, with the Giants losing 30-7 to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. DeVito went 21-of-31 for 189 yards and took four sacks. He also rushed for 32 yards on seven carries.

During the season, Lock was QB2 behind Jones, with DeVito serving as QB3/the emergency signal-caller. That script surprisingly flipped before the Bucs game, but it appears Lock is the starter for now as the 2-10 Giants, who are tied for the league's worst record play out the string of a lost season.

Lock completed 21-of-32 passes for 178 yards in a 27-20 loss to Dallas. He also rushed for 57 yards and a touchdown on four carries.

However, Lock threw a costly pick-six to DeMarvion Overshown that turned New York's 7-6 lead into a 13-7 deficit. He also fumbled the ball away following a sack on a drive to begin the third quarter, and Dallas responded with a touchdown for a 20-10 edge.

The Giants did have some successful drives against Dallas, though. And if Lock can limit the turnovers, the underdog Giants could give the visiting Saints a game.

New Orleans has also had a rough season at 4-8, although the team has experienced a rejuvenation of late under interim coach Darren Rizzi (2-1).

Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. ET on Sunday.

Daniel Jones requested his release after the New York Giants asked him to "stay home" following his benching ahead of Week 11, according to NBC Sports' Mike Florio.

When Jones chose instead to stay with the team, the Giants "altered his workout program" in order to limit the risk of triggering his $23 million injury guarantee for the 2025 season, per Florio.

These alterations included holding Jones to a scout safety role in practice, stopping him from throwing and limiting his lifting, according to Florio.

Jones requested and was granted a release last Friday, four days after he was benched. He cleared waivers on Monday and signed with the Minnesota Vikings practice squad on Wednesday.

When head coach Brian Daboll confirmed the Giants were benching Jones, one reporter asked him if Jones would go home "like Derek Carr."

Carr, benched by the Las Vegas Raiders with two weeks remaining in the 2022 season, stayed away from the team until he was released later that spring.

"I understand the question. No, he's here," Daboll responded, according to the team's official transcript. "We had a talk right before the meeting today... Those aren't easy conversations. But he's here."

Daboll also told reporters that Jones would be serving as a third-string quarterback behind Tommy DeVito and Drew Lock.

It quickly became apparent that was not the true structure of the Giants' depth chart. When the team opened practice to reporters two days after Jones' benching, The Athletic's Charlotte Carroll noted that Jones was taking individual reps behind DeVito, Lock and practice squad quarterback Tim Boyle while sitting out team drills.

The Giants were not allowed to keep Jones from practice facilities while he was still on the four-year, $160 million deal he signed ahead of the 2023 season.

As noted by Florio, that precedent dates back to 2006, when the Tennessee Titans attempted to stop quarterback Steve McNair from practicing in order to avoid triggering an injury guarantee in his contract. An arbitrator ruled the Titans had to allow McNair to use their facilities as long as he was on contract with the team, per ESPN.

What the team could do was sideline Jones and limit his ability to practice. It looks like Jones decided that participating fully on the practice squad of a playoff contender would be preferable to the role the Giants were reportedly prepared to limit him to in New York.

The New York Giants will be without defensive lineman Dexter Lawrence for the remainder of the season.

Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported that Lawrence suffered a dislocated elbow in Thursday's 27-20 loss to the Dallas Cowboys and is "expected to miss the rest of the season."

#Giants potential defensive player of the year Dexter Lawrence, who suffered a dislocated elbow in the loss to the #Cowboys, is expected to miss the rest of the season, with Brian Daboll saying it’s “long-term.”

With 5 games to go, Lawrence has no choice but to look to 2025. pic.twitter.com/fQ68G3lZ7v

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) November 29, 2024

Lawrence exited in the third quarter of the game and had recorded three total tackles.

Before suffering the injury, Lawrence was in the midst of a career season. He has recorded 44 total tackles, 16 quarterback hits and nine sacks through 12 games and was a true contender for the Defensive Player of the Year award.

He is under contract through 2027 so New York will look forward to getting him back for 2025. The current season is not on a positive trajectory as Thursday's loss dropped the team to 2-10.

While Lawrence's absence won't impact the playoff potential of the 2024 Giants, he misses an opportunity to push for the DPOTY award and build more positive momentum for the 2025 season. Instead, he will shift his focus to recovery and being ready to lead the Giants defense once again next season.

New York Giants head coach isn't currently worried about his long-term future with the New York Giants.

The Giants dropped to 2-10 with Thursday's 27-20 loss to the Dallas Cowboys and are on pace to have the worst record in his tenure with the franchise. Following the game, he acknowledged that he is not happy with the results but knows the team has more to give.

"I don't like the results. Nobody likes the results. But I have confidence with the people, just gotta do better"

Brian Daboll says he isn't worried about his job security with the Giants pic.twitter.com/g1p0fidaHI

— Giants Videos (@SNYGiants) November 29, 2024

"I don't like the results," Daboll told reporters. "Nobody likes the results. But I have confidence with the people, just gotta do better"

When asked if he was nervous about his job security, Daboll shook his head and gave a clear "no" answer.

Daboll won the 2022 AP Coach of the Year award after leading New York to a 9-7-1 record and a playoff victory. That was the Giants' first playoff win since 2011 and the team looked poised to take further steps with Daboll at the helm.

Instead, the team struggled to a 6-11 record in his second season and have bottomed out this season. Starting quarterback Daniel Jones was benched after the team started 2-8 and subsequently requested his release the following week. Since his departure, New York is 0-2 and inching toward a top pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.

The team will likely take a quarterback with their first-round pick, so putting a fresh regime in could be an attractive option for the franchise. However, Daboll inherited Jones and giving him the chance to determine the franchise's future could be a strong option as well.

Tom Brady has given his opinion on the Daniel Jones situation.

The seven-time Super Bowl champion spoke during Thursday's New York Giants-Dallas Cowboys Thanksgiving matchup about the former Giants quarterback's decision to request his release after being demoted to the fourth quarterback on the depth chart. Brady stated that he may have made a different decision if he was in a similar situation.

I don't know how the whole situation went down, but to think that you would ask for a release from a team that committed a lot to you is maybe different than how I would've handled that," Brady said on the Fox Broadcast.

I always felt I wanted to get the trust and respect of my teammates, regardless situation, knowing that I was doing the best I could for the team because that was the most important thing.

There's just some different things that happen in the NFL, and everyone makes individual choices. And I think we're all at points in our career, face different challenges. I faced them in college. Some things didn't go the way I wanted, but the people that mattered the most to me were the guys in the locker room. I showed up every day. I don't care if they asked me to be scout team safety, scout team quarterback. I was going to do whatever I could to help the team win.

Jones would sign to the Minnesota Vikings practice squad prior to Week 14. He had thrown for 2,070 yards with eight touchdowns and seven interceptions. The Giants were 2-8 with him under center and avoided a $25 million guarantee if he were to be injured before the season's end.

Fans took to social media to discuss Brady's comments on Jones.

Interesting comment from Tom Brady referencing Daniel Jones’ request to be released by the Giants. The 🐐did not seem to approve. Said even if you’re the scout team safety, the team has committed financially and the job is to help the team. Of course when did that happen to TB12?

— Kevin Seifert (@SeifertESPN) November 28, 2024

Tom Brady ripping Daniel Jones on national TV.

— Gridiron Media (@Gridiron_Media_) November 28, 2024

Tom Brady completely missed the mark about Daniel Jones.
The Giant's locker room spent that entire week defending their QB1 and making it very clear that he was a team player first and foremost. He was even willing to waive his injury guarantee if it meant he could play for them

— Marnie (@PotterFave) November 28, 2024

Tom Brady really went in on Daniel Jones there

— Dougy Fresh (@DouglasMenefee) November 28, 2024

Tom Brady with an interesting take on Daniel Jones asking for his release from the Giants. Doesn't sound like he liked it from Jones.

— Art Stapleton (@art_stapleton) November 28, 2024

Brady taking Daniel Jones to task for asking for his release is some of the best stuff he’s done as an analyst yet.

— Sean Pendergast (@SeanTPendergast) November 28, 2024

Tom Brady dogging on Daniel Jones saying he’d be a scout team safety before asking for his release pic.twitter.com/4vCCuUvWVJ

— Pat James (@PatJamesDFS) November 28, 2024

Tom Brady acting like Daniel Jones didn’t get screwed by the Giants.

— B (@iRoNdad23__) November 28, 2024

Tom Brady to Daniel Jones: pic.twitter.com/zK4z5zBxPI

— Peter Francis Geraci Jr (@romello_jordan) November 28, 2024

“To think you ask for your release from a team that put a lot into you. I don’t believe I would have handled it like that”

Tom Brady on Daniel Jones asking for his release from the Giants.#Giants100

— Tommy (@TommyG105) November 28, 2024

Tom Brady ripping Daniel Jones is a choice lol

— Bradley Locker (@Bradley_Locker) November 28, 2024

God do I not want to hear Tom Brady throw shade at Daniel Jones and how he handled his benching. Just go away. Fox had a great announcer in Greg Olsen and now we get a partial owner saying how he would handle it — suggesting Jones gave up on teammates. Get out of here. #Giants100

— Brian Fitzgerald 🍀 (@BryFitz) November 28, 2024

Tom Brady throwing shots at Daniel Jones pic.twitter.com/fOjXirlJ3V

— Doug (@Doug_1ey) November 28, 2024

Brady had an illustrious NFL career, earning 15 Pro Bowl nods, three MVP trophies and 89,214 career passing yards. While he was never in a situation in his NFL career that Jones was in, he did notable lose his starting job to Drew Henson during his time at Michigan, so he has some ability to relate.

Dallas would win the game 27-20 and New York fell to 0-2 in the post-Jones era.

Life after Daniel Jones isn't any better than life with him for the 2024 New York Giants.

New York fell to 2-10 with its seventh consecutive loss, this time to the division-rival Dallas Cowboys. Dallas won 27-20 in a Thanksgiving showdown at AT&T Stadium and improved to 5-7 with a second straight victory.

Cooper Rush kept the offense rolling at 21-of-36 for 195 yards, one touchdown and zero interceptions, while Rico Dowdle ran for 112 yards and one touchdown.

But the story was the Dallas defense stifling Drew Lock, who did not exactly capitalize on his starting opportunity for the Giants while throwing for 172 yards, zero touchdowns and one interception. He did add 57 yards and a touchdown on the ground, although the score came late in the fourth quarter and ended up being too late.

Social media did not hold back when discussing Lock, head coach Brian Daboll and the rest of the visiting club:

I swear Brian DaBoll is the worst coach in the NFL

— Double B🪄 (@Raw_DoubleB) November 28, 2024

John Mara sitting ALONE looking absolutely miserable watching the Giants right now.

Daboll and Schoen are so cooked.

— Alex Wilson (@AlexWilsonESM) November 29, 2024

Maybe Daboll and the Giants weren't really tanking and DeVito was the better option compared to Lock? #DALvsNYG pic.twitter.com/oSkiGzEPc6

— Reason (@the_real_reason) November 28, 2024

Undisciplined, lack of fundamentals. As much as I like Daboll to stay. You just can't survive with your team playing this way.

— Vibes - Eli Racks (@IamEliRacks) November 29, 2024

Kicking myself for watching the first half of the Giants-Cowboys game instead of taking my neighbor up on his offer to let me watch the paint dry in his kitchen.

— Jeff Greenfield (@greenfield64) November 28, 2024

Giants-Cowboys is like a MAC game with better lighting

— parker fleming (@statsowar) November 28, 2024

Man Drew Lock is playing like someone who 15 different teams gave an opportunity to and then let go. I did not see that coming

— Adam Scherer (@ShipMyMoneyDFS) November 28, 2024

Drew Lock realizing in real time why he got passed over for QB2 by the Giants… pic.twitter.com/vyTi8X4N9C

— Dynes Sports (@dynessports) November 28, 2024

https://twitter.com/devinaknotts/status/1862268219282583780

https://twitter.com/vj_v_/status/1862277385623576830

Smart of Drew Lock to act like he's never played football before. Cowboys will never see him coming later in this game.

— John Hyslop (@sloprules) November 28, 2024

Didn’t think it was possible to be worse than Tommy Devito. Drew Lock says… pic.twitter.com/2wSetoybUS

— The_Gildz (@The_Gildz) November 28, 2024

When the 2024 NFL schedule initially came out, NFL fans surely thought they were going to watch Prescott against Jones. Instead, Thursday's game was Rush for the Cowboys because of Prescott's hamstring injury and Lock for the Giants because Jones is now on the Minnesota Vikings following his release and Tommy DeVito (forearm) was out.

Lock initially looked like someone who should have been playing earlier in the season when he led the Giants on a 13-play, 70-yard touchdown drive on their first possession. The biggest play came when he broke free as a runner to get the ball to the Dallas 1-yard line before Tyrone Tracy Jr. punched it in.

And then Lock looked like anything but someone who should have been playing earlier this season for the rest of the game, including when he threw a pick-six on a screen pass. DeMarvion Overshown batted the ball in the air, caught it and returned it to give the Cowboys the lead heading into the second half.

COWBOYS PICK-6 😳

Overshown catches the tipped INT to the house!

(via @NFL)pic.twitter.com/yUbqIOvBP6

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) November 28, 2024

Halftime did nothing to stop Lock's struggles, as he lost a fumble on New York's opening drive of the third quarter.

That set up Rush's touchdown pass to Brandin Cooks before Dowdle's touchdown run later in the quarter opened up a commanding 17-point lead and put even more pressure on the Giants' fill-in signal-caller.

Cowboys force a fumble to start the second half!

📺: #NYGvsDAL on FOX
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/rt5OztpIb6

— NFL (@NFL) November 28, 2024

Lock did at least make a play with his legs with the rushing touchdown to add some late drama, but the Giants defense couldn't make the necessary stop on the ensuing possession.

Ultimately, the Cowboys defense ended up with six sacks in a much-needed performance for a unit that has struggled for much of the season. It entered play 31st in the league in points allowed per game (29.0) but looked like a completely different group Thursday.

Much of that can be attributed to Lock and the Giants offense, and things will likely get far more difficult for the Cowboys defense the next time out against Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals.