The Danny Dimes era with the New York Giants hit an unexpected roadblock as Daniel Jones, once a promising No. 6 overall pick, was released on Friday after being benched earlier in the week. As Jones enters the waiver wire, it seems improbable that any NFL team will be eager to claim his hefty four-year, $160 million contract with the Giants.
Once he inevitably clears waivers, he’ll have the freedom to sign with any team he desires. This is where the Miami Dolphins could benefit by seizing the opportunity to add Jones to their roster.
Earlier this season, the Dolphins faced a brutal reality check: their offense struggles significantly without Tua Tagovailoa leading the charge. Miami’s offensive struggles were glaring, as they managed a mere three points with Skylar Thompson starting in Week 3 and only achieved one touchdown in each of the three games under Tyler Huntley’s command.
But with Tagovailoa’s return from injured reserve, the Dolphins’ offense roared back to life. Over the past four weeks, Tagovailoa has been electric, completing 77.7 percent of his passes, along with seven touchdowns and a single interception, guiding the team to an average of 27.8 points per game.
His presence has clearly been the catalyst for Miami’s offensive prowess.
Yet, the shadow of uncertainty looms large over Miami. If Tagovailoa were to suffer another injury, the Dolphins’ playoff aspirations could swiftly dwindle.
The performances of Thompson and Huntley have reinforced their inability to replicate Tagovailoa’s effectiveness. The question remains: could Daniel Jones fill that gap?
Jones possesses certain elements that suggest he might fit into Mike McDaniel’s offensive scheme. Last season, Jones averaged 2.54 seconds per throw—trailing Tagovailoa’s rapid 2.25 seconds but still ranking in the NFL’s top 10.
Impressively, Jones completed an NFL-high 80.4 percent of his passes when releasing the ball in less than 2.5 seconds, outpacing Tagovailoa’s 73.4 percent completion rate in similar situations. Miami’s offensive strategy hinges on quick, precise deliveries from the quarterback, and Jones could potentially meet this demand.
Although it’s far from guaranteed that Jones can replicate Tagovailoa’s unique skill set, the harsh truth is that Miami’s current roster offers no comparable alternative.
Incorporating Jones could give the Dolphins a lifeline, enabling them to weather potential periods without Tagovailoa and keep their postseason dreams alive. Beyond short-term coverage, the allure of signing Jones includes the future possibility of draft capital.
Should Jones move on as a free agent in March and sign with another team, the Dolphins could be in line for a compensatory draft pick come 2026. History shows that even modest backup quarterback deals can yield draft picks, much like the seventh-round pick the New York Jets secured in 2024 after Mike White’s two-year, $8 million contract with the Dolphins in 2023.
In summary, while Jones may not be the long-term solution to the Dolphins’ backup quarterback dilemma, he presents a potential temporary fix. His addition could stabilize Miami’s depth chart and possibly reward them with some valuable draft capital in the future.