NFL Insider: Daniel Jones Not 'Locked-in Starter' for Giants Ahead of Drew Lock

Luke Hales/ As New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones prepares to lead the team against the Carolina Panthers in Germany on Sunday, one insider believes his starting job is in jeopardy.

ESPN's Dan Graziano reported, "After spending some time around the team over the weekend, I'm not convinced [Jones] is the locked-in starter for the rest of the season" ahead of backup Drew Lock.

Graziano went on to explain that the Giants' game plan for Jones in their Week 9 loss to the Washington Commanders indicated that they're not fully committed to him as their franchise quarterback.

"The Giants barely let Jones throw the ball in the first half against the Commanders, and while he put up some good fourth-quarter numbers, New York was behind and had to throw," Graziano stated. "The Giants wanted to give Jones this season to determine whether he can still be their long-term answer at quarterback, but they could reach a point where they decide they've seen enough and are convinced to move in a different direction."

Jones completed 20 of his 26 passes for 174 yards and two touchdowns while adding 54 rushing yards and another score, but it wasn't enough as New York suffered a 27-22 loss, its second loss to Washington this season. The 27-year-old has 1,880 yards, eight touchdowns and five interceptions in nine starts this year while leading the Giants to a 2-7 record.

Graziano added that Jones' "2025 injury guarantee is going to loom large." He has a $23 million injury guarantee that becomes fully guaranteed for the 2025 season if he gets injured or is unable to pass a physical in the offseason. The Giants could choose to avoid that by inserting Lock as the starter at some point this year.