Daniel Jones passes on starting spot to keep Ravens opportunity alive

What are the Baltimore Ravens to do? Daniel Jones is officially on the open market after being released by the New York Giants. Once heralded as the franchise’s future, the sixth-overall pick’s time in New York came to an unceremonious end after a turbulent season. With his release, Jones now has the freedom to choose his next destination, and several playoff contenders are reportedly interested.

Among the potential suitors, the Ravens have emerged as a strong option. Jones’ athleticism and dual-threat ability align well with Baltimore’s offensive system, which has thrived under Lamar Jackson. NFL insider Adam Schefter has listed the Ravens as a logical fit for Jones, who could provide valuable depth for a team eyeing a deep postseason run.

For Jones, Baltimore offers a chance to reset his career in a stable environment while working alongside one of the league’s most dynamic quarterbacks, Lamar Jackson. Meanwhile, the Ravens would benefit from his starting experience, giving them a more reliable backup option behind Jackson.

Daniel Jones is making it clear he wants to play for a contender

Jones has already ruled out the Las Vegas Raiders as a potential landing spot. Whether that was the right call is up for debate. With starting QB Gardner Minshew out for the season with a broken collarbone, Jones could have stepped in and seen the field right away. But it is clear he wants to avoid ending up in the same kind of unstable situation he dealt with in New York.

The Ravens keep coming up as a possible landing spot for Jones, and it is not hard to see why. Todd Monken’s offense is all about mobility and versatility, two traits Jones has shown throughout his career. His 2022 season was proof of that as he put up over 3,200 passing yards and added another 700 on the ground.

Adding Jones would strengthen the Ravens’ quarterback room, which right now has veteran Josh Johnson as the backup and rookie Devin Leary on the practice squad. Johnson has experience, but Jones’ recent starts and athletic skill set make him a more reliable option if Jackson misses time. Offensive coordinator Todd Monken has helped Jackson grow into an elite passer, and he could do the same for Jones.

For Jones, the Ravens offer a chance to get his career back on track in a much better situation. In New York, constant turnover and instability held him back. Baltimore’s coaching staff and playoff-ready roster give him the stability he needs to rebuild his confidence and show what he can do. It would be more of the same struggles in Vegas.

For the Ravens, adding Jones would be a smart insurance policy. With the playoffs in sight, having a reliable backup for Jackson could be the difference between staying competitive or falling short. It is a low-risk move that comes with a decent amount of upside.

With Jones reportedly focused on playoff contenders and steering clear of struggling teams, Baltimore seems like a natural fit. Rumor has it he planned to decide after the Week 12 games, and after the Ravens’ 30-23 Monday Night Football win over the Chargers, their 8-4 record might be exactly what he is looking for.

As for the Raiders, they might need to do some soul-searching because if Jones is turning down a starting opportunity, it says a lot about where their franchise is right now.

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