Daniel Jones

New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones dealt with a neck injury that sidelined him for the final six games of the 2021 season, but he's not worried about the ailment causing him issues in 2022. 

Speaking with reporters on Monday, Jones said he'll be "cleared and ready to go" for the team's offseason program.

The Giants have remained optimistic that Jones' neck ailment wouldn't be a long-term issue. According to ESPN's Jordan Raanan, the 24-year-old was close to returning before the end of the 2021 campaign. 

The Giants' offseason program kicked off Monday with phase one, which includes up to four workouts per week. Players are limited to strength and conditioning workouts for this two-week phase. 

Jones will not have to face any contact until August, so it's not necessarily surprising that he's taking the field for New York's offseason program. 

The 2019 first-round pick is entering a critical point in his career in his fourth season. Through the first three years of his career, he did nothing to prove to the Giants that he could be their quarterback of the future.

Last season, he completed 64.3 percent of his passes for 2,428 yards and 10 touchdowns against seven interceptions in 11 games. If he plays like that in 2022, it's possible New York will look for a new quarterback. 

The Giants already signed Tyrod Taylor to a two-year deal this offseason, and they could draft one of the top quarterbacks in the 2022 class with the fifth and seventh overall picks. Malik Willis, Desmond Ridder and Kenny Pickett are among the top names available.

However, Jones doesn't appear too worried about his status.

"I'm excited. I'm excited to get going here. I appreciate the support," he said. "But it's my job to do my role, to prepare this team, to prepare myself to play as well as I can and put this team in position to win games. So I take that responsibility very seriously and that is what I'm focused on."

If Jones plays at a high level, he could lead the Giants back to the postseason for the first time since the 2016 campaign. 

Daniel Jones has looked like anything but a surefire franchise quarterback during his first three seasons in the NFL, and the New York Giants will reportedly let the 2022 campaign play out before making a decision on 2023.

Jordan Raanan of ESPN reported the NFC East team is increasingly unlikely to pick up the fifth-year option on Jones' contract before the May deadline to do so.

"It seems likely they will pass since he's yet to show any real consistency in his first three seasons as a starting quarterback and it would mean guaranteeing him $20-plus million for 2023," Raanan wrote. "It seems inevitable they let Jones play it out this year and if he has a great season, that will present a good problem."

Raanan explained the Giants are in something of a "mess" after former general manager Dave Gettleman's previous decisions to restructure deals to get them under the salary cap in the past.

New general manager Joe Schoen is apparently looking to clear $40 million in cap space, and cutting cornerback James Bradberry and wide receiver Sterling Shepard may help him do that. The team could even look to trade running back Saquon Barkley this offseason depending on the market.

Yet New York will only go as far as the quarterback's performance even if Schoen is able to clear some cap space and add difference-makers in the draft.

The hiring of head coach Brian Daboll is one reason for optimism since he helped develop Josh Allen into one of the best quarterbacks in the league during his time as the offensive coordinator of the Buffalo Bills.

There is plenty of room for improvement for Jones as well, who looked well on his way to a productive NFL career by throwing for 3,027 yards, 24 touchdowns and 12 interceptions as a rookie in 2019 before taking a step back the past two years.

The Duke product failed to reach the 3,000-passing-yard mark in 2020 and 2021 and finished that stretch with a combined 21 touchdown throws to 17 interceptions. His ability to make plays with his legs makes him slightly more valuable than the passing numbers indicate, but the regression was a concerning sign for New York.

By waiting to make a decision on 2023 until the 2022 season is complete or at least underway, the Giants can determine if Daboll's tutelage has the desired effect.

If it doesn't, don't be surprised if the team moves in a different direction either through the draft or free agency next offseason.