By Ross Jackson
NEW ORLEANS — After being released by the New York Giants, quarterback Daniel Jones is free to sign with any team he wants after clearing waivers. While not high on the list, the New Orleans Saints did get 25/1 odds to land the former Duke Blue Devil, per BetOnline.ag. However, New Orleans should focus their attention on one of their other much more important needs than a player that’s set to now be a career backup.
Jones never looked like an NFL starter in college nor after he was drafted No. 6 overall in the 2019 NFL Draft. While the Saints would not be looking at him in this hypothetical as a starting quarterback, even investing in him as a backup would not be worth their time.
The team has several needs outside of the No. 2 passer role and they believe strongly in the two young quarterbacks in the locker room in rookie signal caller Spencer Rattler and second-year passer Jake Haener.
However, that favor could change if Jones is still on the market after the Saints hire their next long-term head coach. Perhaps they hire a coach that likes Jones’ skillset as a backup that could come in and relieve an injured starter for a game or two. But that should be about as high of a ceiling that should be expected from the 24-45-1 record quarterback.
Some have suggested the idea of trying to turn him into a do-it-all player like tight end Taysom Hill. But even that role is unlikely to make out for Jones. The route is unlikely to pan out for many players that aren’t Hill.
If New Orleans were to add Jones this offseason, assuming he is available then, it would be a surprise. The 25-to-1 odds cast about a four percent likelihood that the Saints acquire him. It would cast some doubts on the new regime’s belief in Rattler and Haener, but with a new head coach potentially on the way, it’s hard to predict what the feelings around Jones and what he has to offer in the position room would be.
If the Saints need to get anything done at quarterback, it’s finding their long-term starter as opposed to a backup on a short-term deal. Quarterback Derek Carr has been playing well for the majority of his season, more than many will be willing to give him credit for, but at 33-years-old, it is unlikely that he’ll be the team’s future. That is what they need to be focused on investing in over the next couple of years.
