Giants’ Daniel Jones has simple goal for offense: ‘We’re trying to score a lot of touchdowns’

Giants quarterback Daniel Jones knows 2024 is a make-or-break season for his future.

The Giants are 22-36-1 in games Jones started, and his production has been below average in his five-year career.

Jones in 60 games played has thrown 62 touchdowns, which ranks 23rd in the NFL since his first year in 2019. Even when the Giants made the playoffs in 2021, Jones threw 15 touchdowns in 16 games.

Last season, his stats plummeted to 909 passing yards, two touchdowns and six interceptions in six starts while he dealt with neck injuries and a torn ACL.

Entering this season with a talented receiving corps and re-tooled offensive line, Jones said the offense is as talented as any he’s led in his career. With that, Jones’ must-do goal is to produce at the highest level of his career.

“We’re trying to score a lot of touchdowns,” Jones said. “We’re trying to throw them. We’re trying to run them. We’re trying to score a lot of points.”

Giants general manager Joe Schoen said in July the Giants “need better in 2024” from Jones, especially considering his large four-year, $160 million contract he’s entering the second year of.

Schoen also went out of his way to defend Jones in HBO’s Hard Knocks. The third-year general manager told other front office executives in a meeting that the Giants were going to give the offense to Jones after star running back Saquon Barkley left in free agency.

Jones always had Barkley to rely on in his career. Now without him, the Giants’ are putting their chips in Jones to prove himself to carry the offense effectively.

“(I’m) always trying to protect the ball and try to create explosive plays,” Jones said. “That doesn’t mean we’re going to be cautious. We’re going to take chances, but I’ve always placed a high importance on protecting the ball.”