Giants legend ‘worried’ about Daniel Jones, says he ‘might not be’ ready to return

The New York Giants must determine if quarterback Daniel Jones is the long-term answer in 2024.

Jones needs to stay healthy and prove he can effectively run coach Brian Daboll’s offense. But Giants legend Tiki Barber worries Jones won’t be ready when the season starts.

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“I’m always concerned that Daniel Jones isn’t going to be ready for the start of the regular season,” Barber said Thursday, via WFAN Sports Radio. “Joe Schoen said it out loud (on Hard Knocks). ‘What if our quarterback isn’t ready for the start of the season?’”

Jones is recovering from a torn ACL he suffered last November. Most players recover from the injury in six to nine months. By the first week, Jones will be about 10 months post-surgery. His recovery appears to be going well after participating in 7-on-7 drills during spring training.

While Barber likes what he’s seen of Jones’ recovery this summer, he still doesn’t have confidence in him.

“I saw Daniel a couple of weeks ago … he looked great,” Barber said. Big, strong, burly, running around, always training. He looked great. But looking great without pads is different than being on a football field and being aggressively pursued by defenders.

“I hope he’s ready. But in my mind, I can’t help but think that maybe he’s not.”

The Giants signed former Broncos and Seahawks quarterback Drew Lock this summer to be their backup. They also considered trading quarterback Drake Maye, but the Patriots rejected their offer and stayed at No. 3 to take him, Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer reported in April.

Next spring, the Giants could be looking for a new quarterback if Jones doesn’t perform well.

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