Daniel Jones #8 of the New York Giants
The Dallas Cowboys are in dire straits. With a 3-7 record heading into their Sunday, November 24, matchup against the Washington Commanders, the Cowboys are facing a harsh reality: they are without their franchise quarterback Dak Prescott for the foreseeable future. The team has been stumbling all season, and now, with little hope left for a playoff run, Dallas may be looking at a potential game-changer who just became available: former New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones.
Daniel Jones’ Split from the Giants: A Game-Changer for Dallas?
On Friday, November 22, the New York Giants officially parted ways with their once-promising franchise quarterback, Daniel Jones, sending ripples throughout the NFL. The move came after months of speculation surrounding Jones’ future with the team, and it has opened the door for a potential new beginning for the 26-year-old signal-caller.
“Daniel has been a great representative of our organization, first class in every way,” Giants president John Mara wrote in a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter).
The timing couldn’t be more critical for the Cowboys, who are currently staring down a bleak season. With ESPN giving them less than a 1% chance of making the playoffs, the team is in full-on salvage mode. And now, one of the league’s most high-profile quarterbacks is available. Could Jones be the answer to their prayers?
The Cowboys’ Struggles: Could Daniel Jones Save the Season?
As Christian D’Andrea of USA Today points out, the Cowboys’ season is essentially over. The team has been in freefall mode, losing badly at home—including four games by 24 points or more. The Cowboys’ offense has been inconsistent at best, and Cooper Rush, who has stepped in for Prescott, hasn’t been able to provide the spark Dallas needs.
D’Andrea argues that Jones could be a perfect fit to help salvage what’s left of Dallas’ 2024 campaign. “Dak Prescott’s injury gave way to Cooper Rush, who is playing roughly like you’d expect Cooper Rush to play,” he writes. “Signing Jones probably wouldn’t give him enough time to face his former team (and Tommy DeVito) on Thanksgiving, but it would help elevate the Cowboys’ offense as they limp through the final third of the 2024 regular season.”
The added intrigue here is the possibility of Jones facing off against the Giants just days after potentially signing with the Cowboys. Though it’s unlikely he’d be suited up in time for the Thanksgiving Day game, the narrative of Jones going up against his former team on a national stage would add a thrilling twist to an already high-profile matchup.
Jerry Jones’ History of Risk-Taking Could Lead to a Bold Move
The prospect of bringing in a player like Jones is certainly not without risk. But as D’Andrea highlights, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones has a history of taking gambles on quarterbacks, having traded for Trey Lance just last season. If Jones proves to be a valuable asset in Dallas, it could pay off—especially against a divisional rival like the Giants.
“If Jones happens to play well enough to stick in the craw of the division rival who released him, well, that’s a bonus,” D’Andrea adds.
It’s clear that the Cowboys are desperate for a change. With Prescott out, they may have little choice but to make a bold move if they want to even remotely salvage their playoff hopes.
Mike McCarthy’s Take: Does He Want Daniel Jones?
Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy was asked directly about the possibility of signing Jones ahead of their Thanksgiving Day game.
“I’ve never really been in the business of looking at players based off the team they are released from, especially with the timing of the next game,” McCarthy said during a press conference on Friday, per The Athletic‘s Jon Machota. “He was a prospect I really liked coming out, but we kind of have our head down right now and really focused on working with the guys we have here.”
While McCarthy’s comments suggest the Cowboys aren’t immediately jumping at the chance to sign Jones, his acknowledgment of Jones’ potential adds fuel to the fire. McCarthy’s focus remains on the players currently on the roster, but it’s clear that Jones’ availability could be tempting, especially if the Cowboys’ struggles continue.
What’s Next for Dallas?
With the Cowboys’ playoff hopes all but dashed, the team’s decision-makers will have to weigh the potential upside of bringing in a player like Daniel Jones. Could he be the spark that turns their season around? Will Jones be ready to step in and provide the leadership the Cowboys desperately need?
As the Cowboys face the Washington Commanders this Sunday, eyes will remain on the front office to see if they make a move to sign Jones. If they do, the Thanksgiving Day showdown against the Giants will take on a whole new layer of drama.
