Daniel Jones Reacts to Firing of Former Coach Brian Daboll, Reflects on Their Time Together in New York

The firing of Brian Daboll by the New York Giants this week sent ripples through the NFL, with players, analysts, and fans weighing in on the decision. Among those to react was Indianapolis Colts quarterback Daniel Jones — the player who perhaps benefited most from Daboll’s early success in New York.

In an interview with USA Today Sports conducted shortly after the news broke, Jones was reflective and measured in his response. “Yeah, I just kind of heard about it recently, and obviously, you never wanna see anyone fired, it’s an unfortunate part of this business,” Jones said. “So, yeah, I think that’s the reaction, and [I] hope for the best for him and everybody there in New York.”

Jones’ comments carried a tone of mutual respect, even as his own journey diverged from Daboll’s. The two shared a productive start together in 2022 that briefly revived the Giants’ fortunes, but their partnership eventually unraveled as injuries, inconsistent play, and organizational changes derailed the team’s momentum.

Now thriving in Indianapolis, Jones reflected on the man who helped him reach his best season as a pro — even as both have moved on from a once-promising partnership that ended sooner than either might have expected.

1. A Strong Start: Daboll and Jones Find Early Success

When Brian Daboll arrived in New York in 2022, he inherited a franchise struggling to find stability at quarterback. Daniel Jones, then entering a make-or-break year, became Daboll’s primary project — and the results were immediate. The Giants went 9-7-1 and reached the playoffs for the first time since 2016. Under Daboll’s guidance, Jones posted career highs across the board, including 3,205 passing yards, 15 touchdowns, and just five interceptions. He also showcased his athleticism, rushing for more than 700 yards and seven touchdowns. The combination of improved decision-making and dynamic mobility made him one of the league’s breakout stars. The high point came in the postseason when Jones led the Giants to a road victory over the Minnesota Vikings in the Wild Card Round, marking the franchise’s first playoff win in over a decade. Although the team was eliminated by the Philadelphia Eagles the following week, optimism in New York soared. The Giants rewarded Jones with a four-year, $160 million contract that offseason — a decision that symbolized the organization’s commitment to both the quarterback and Daboll as the faces of its new era. But the success proved short-lived.

2. Injuries, Struggles, and a Difficult Split

The following two seasons tested the relationship between Jones and Daboll. In 2023, Jones’ year was cut short after just six games due to a neck injury, derailing the Giants’ progress and raising concerns about his long-term durability. When he returned in 2024, inconsistency plagued both his play and the team’s overall performance. The Giants stumbled to a 2-8 record in Jones’ 10 starts that season. Turnovers, offensive line issues, and mounting injuries eroded the cohesion that once defined Daboll’s early tenure. By midseason, the team benched Jones, and his time in New York soon came to an unceremonious end when he was released. Jones later joined the Minnesota Vikings’ practice squad to stay sharp before signing with the Indianapolis Colts during the 2025 offseason. For the Giants, the once-promising quarterback-coach pairing had officially dissolved — leaving both sides searching for fresh starts. Despite the difficult ending, Jones has remained gracious when speaking about his time in New York, often crediting Daboll for rebuilding his confidence and sharpening his approach as a quarterback.

3. A New Beginning in Indianapolis

Jones’ transition to the Indianapolis Colts has been a story of redemption. After an offseason competition with Anthony Richardson, he secured the starting job and has flourished under head coach Shane Steichen’s offensive system. Through 10 games, he leads the NFL in passing yards (2,659), with 15 touchdowns, seven interceptions, and five rushing scores to his name. His resurgence has helped propel the Colts to an 8-2 record — a stark contrast to the struggles he endured in his final year in New York. For Jones, it represents not only a professional revival but also personal validation that his success under Daboll in 2022 wasn’t a fluke. Meanwhile, the Giants are once again in transition, searching for a new head coach to replace Daboll and reset their direction. For many around the league, the firing underscores how quickly fortunes can change in the NFL — even for coaches who once appeared to have turned a franchise around. As Jones continues his career resurgence, his respectful words about Daboll serve as a reminder of how impactful that early partnership was — even if it ultimately came to an end.