Potential QB Pivots Preview Giants vs. Steelers

Monday’s Week 8 contest between the New York Giants and Pittsburgh Steelers is a tale of two quarterback changes – one that’s already happened and one that seems closer with each three-and-out.

The Steelers took a ton of heat for benching quarterback Justin Fields for Russell Wilson. The team had won four of its first six, Fields was exceeding expectations, and Wilson had similar concerns but less physical talent to mitigate them.

But for the season-long health of the franchise, head coach Mike Tomlin knew he couldn’t go into a daunting second-half schedule with uncertainty about either quarterback. In giving Wilson a shot, he gave the offense the opportunity to benefit more from play-action and experience, while also keeping morale high. After a 37-15 win, Tomlin was proven right.

Meanwhile, the Giants saw their second quarterback of the season in Week 7, too. It came for all the wrong reasons.

Daniel Jones was benched in the fourth quarter of Week 7’s 28-3 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. He was sacked seven times and had thrown for 99 yards. Instead, head coach Brian Daboll turned to Drew Lock, looking for a spark. New York was trying to brute force explosive plays. It didn’t work.

But it did tear down the once-impenetrable wall. Daboll was willing to send Jones to the sideline and was open to the possibility of Lock playing better.

Jones was reinstated as the starter ahead of Monday’s trip to Western Pennsylvania. How long that lasts is yet to be seen.

Beyond the offensive struggles and the 2-5 record, other factors are working against Jones. After left tackle Andrew Thomas went down with a season-ending injury, the offensive line crumbled against Philadelphia. Jones has never been able to succeed without competency up front, and as the sacks pile up and the three-and-outs continue to mount, Daboll might be encouraged to switch to a more volatile, but explosive option in Lock who could find more success out of structure.

Secondly, Jones’ contract includes a $23 million injury guarantee in the event that Jones fails a physical this offseason after sustaining an injury in 2024. The longer he plays, the more likely he is to get hurt, and if he is no longer in New York’s long-term plans, the financial benefits of benching him become increasingly important.

Related: Steelers Star Uses 1 Word to Scout Giants QB Daniel Jones

A Steelers defense headlined by edge rusher T.J. Watt and a strong defensive line won’t make things any easier on Jones. Pittsburgh stops the run well and has the talent in the back seven to limit gains over the middle of the field and force turnovers in the process.

If Week 8 continues the Giants’ trend of impotence and a complete inability to stretch the field, the calls for Lock will be louder than ever. At some point, they may become impossible for Daboll to ignore.

A switch may not be inevitable. But make no mistake about it, Jones is fighting for his job on Monday.