‘Absurd’ Document Helped Convince Giants to Pay Daniel Jones

Handing Daniels Jones a contract worth $160 million in early 2023 proved to be one of the biggest missteps in the recent history of the New York Giants, but what’s more “absurd” is learning the team might have made the deal based on a 42-page “manifesto.”

The revelation comes from A.J. Stevens, “VP of Client Strategy” for Athletes First, “a full-service agency which represents top NFL athletes, coaches and college coaching personnel.”

Stevens told The 33rd Team’s Ari Meirov how the contract negotiations for Jones “might be the most memorable” of his career. As Stevens explained, Athletes First CEO Brian Murphy planned to send the Giants a “whole history of the quarterback market and where Daniel fits into it.”

In order to put the plan into action, Stevens “spent the next 72 hours building out a 42-page ‘manifesto,’ I think the Giants called it, that gave a history of the quarterback position since 2010-ish, and eventually a proposal. So you had to read through 41 pages to actually see out first proposal to the Giants.”

While Stevens admitted “it was absurd at the time, looking back it’s still absurd,” the work paid off because “it inevitably got us to the point where we did a buzzer-beater deal where there were seconds left before the deadline when we got his contract done.”

There’s a lot to unpack from Stevens’ recollections, but a couple of things stand out the most. Two things that don’t paint the Giants, specifically general manager Joe Schoen and head coach Brian Daboll, in a very flattering light.

Giants Cast as Baffled and Desperate in Daniel Jones Story

The Giants green-lighting a substantial payday for Jones with so little time to spare indicates team brass was desperate and keen to beat a deadline. Not doing so would have meant having to franchise tag Jones, a short-term solution at football’s most important position.

Schoen was more comfortable making quarterback a priority over securing the long-term future of Pro Bowl running back Saquon Barkley. Yet, the Giants had concerns about paying other key players, concerns that prompted a restructuring of Jones’ deal with the ink barely dry on the original terms.

Ultimately though, Jones’ contract did more harm than good to the Giants. The offense imploded amid the signal-caller’s familiar failings, including turnovers and injuries.

Daboll had trouble reaching Jones and ironing out the career-long deficiencies in the veteran’s game. Their fractious relationship contributed to Schoen’s grand design eventually unravelling when Jones was released back in November.

The decision prompted a radical overhaul of the depth chart, with the Giants apparently determined not to be backed into a corner the same way again.

Daniel Jones Gaffe Has Motivated Bold QB Action by Giants

Schoen has been determined to cover all his bases after watching Jones flounder while Barkley rushed for over 2,000 yards and helped the 2024 Philadelphia Eagles win the Super Bowl.

The Giants doubled down on veteran insurance to replace Jones by signing 10-time Pro Bowler Russell Wilson in free agency. He’s joined by former No. 1 pick Jameis Winston, but Schoen’s boldest move was trading back into the first round of the 2025 NFL draft to select Jaxson Dart.

It’s a matter of when, not if, Dart takes over as the starter. He’s the future at the position for the Giants, provided the rookie can overcome his own Jones-like problem.

The early signs have been positive Dart has the raw tools to expand a passing game that became limited every year Jones was the starter.

If Dart quickly makes the grade the Giants will be able to move on from the Jones episode with some credit. Yet, if Jones continues to impress for new team the Indianapolis Colts, the Schoen and Daboll regime will face more intense criticism.