Giants HC Brian Daboll might be ready to take gloves off with QB Daniel Jones

It's thought that head coach Brian Daboll is resuming his role serving as the New York Giants' primary offensive play-caller for this Sunday's regular-season opener against the Minnesota Vikings because he reportedly "knows what could happen if things go south" by Week 18.

Current NFL analyst and one-time Most Valuable Player Boomer Esiason believes Daboll won't shy away from giving quarterback Daniel Jones earfuls if Jones commits avoidable mistakes beginning with the matchup versus Minnesota.

"I think, with Brian Daboll calling the plays...you saw a snippet of it in the preseason game against [the Houston Texans last month]," Esiason said during Friday's edition of the WFAN "Boomer and Gio" show, as shared by Ryan Chichester of Audacy. "I think he’s gonna be really aggressive, keep the pedal to the metal and is gonna be all over Daniel Jones. I think that’s a good thing. I think that’s exactly what Daniel needs."

Daboll went viral during his official Giants debut in September 2022 when he famously got into Jones' face after the signal-caller tossed an awful interception. Big Blue came from behind to win that game and later earned both a trip to the playoffs and a road postseason victory (over none other than the Vikings).

Daboll has reportedly featured a calmer personality from the start of springtime workouts through the end of training camp in August. Esiason thinks Daboll could turn the clock back two years on Sunday afternoon.

"I think Brian is gonna be in his grill," Esiason said about how Daboll will treat Jones. "He’s gonna be pushing, trying to get the best out of him. He’s not gonna let him have those in-game slumps."

While Daboll seemingly is on the hot seat, some members of the NFL community are convinced that Giants general manager Joe Schoen is counting down the months until he can escape Jones' contract next offseason. Such realities could result in Daboll doing whatever he thinks is necessary to try to light a fire under the 27-year-old signal-caller during games.

"Some guys go through games where three or four series will be three-and-outs," Esiason added, "and they come to the sideline and sit down, get a Gatorade, look at the tablet, put their helmet on and get back out on the field. Brian Daboll is not gonna let that happen."

As of Friday afternoon, DraftKings Sportsbook listed the Giants as 1.5-point home underdogs for Sunday's game against the Vikings. Perhaps Daboll will use such information as bulletin board material to motivate Jones and others inside the locker room ahead of what could become a regime-defining season.