Giants' Daniel Jones responds to almost being replaced by rookie

The "Hard Knocks: Offseason with the New York Giants" program that has been airing this summer recently confirmed that Giants general manager Joe Schoen had serious interest in acquiring an eventual replacement for starting quarterback Daniel Jones during the 2024 NFL Draft.

Jones spoke with reporters on Wednesday about the offseason conversation he had with Schoen regarding the executive's intentions.

"Obviously it’s not, you know, you’re not excited about it," Jones admitted, per Paul Schwartz of the New York Post and Jordan Raanan of ESPN. "But they have a job to do, I have a job to do so it is what it is. We’re at this point now. Grateful for the opportunity I have and excited to play football, that’s kind of my focus now. Yeah, it’s not a fun conversation."

Schoen openly acknowledged this past winter that Jones' injury history -- two neck issues since 2021 and a torn ACL suffered in November of last year -- left the Giants with "something we’ve gotta consider" ahead of the draft. Specifically, Big Blue explored moving up from the sixth overall pick with LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels and North Carolina signal-caller Drake Maye in mind.

However, the Washington Commanders took Daniels with the second selection before the New England Patriots grabbed Maye at No. 3. In the end, Schoen gave Jones some help by landing LSU wide receiver Malik Nabers with the sixth choice.

While speaking with reporters on Wednesday, Schoen declined to deny the Giants could bench a healthy Jones this fall and then escape the 27-year-old's contract in March 2025. Jones seems to be doing everything possible during training camp to tune out such noise as he works to get to 100% before New York's regular-season opener versus the Minnesota Vikings on Sept. 8.

"Yeah, I think however you want to call the motivation or the drive, I’ve always felt like I’m motivated and driven and work harder than — work as hard as I possibly can, that’s always been my mindset and my approach," Jones remarked.

As of Thursday morning, DraftKings Sportsbook listed Jones sixth among the betting favorites at +1600 odds to win the Comeback Player of the Year Award this season. Getting his hands on that trophy could ensure he's still with the Giants 12 months from now.