As it turns out, $40 million can buy you a lot of turnovers.
Daniel Jones signed a pretty shocking deal this offseason, putting pen to paper on a four-year, $160 million deal with the Giants after throwing just 15 touchdown passes in 2022.
While Jones' 2022 totals were more indicative of a lack of talent around him than any kind of talent deficiency himself, the Giants quarterback hasn't done much to repay the faith that the team has in him early in the 2023 season.
Through four games, Jones now has six interceptions on the season, hardly the mark of a player in the paygrade of Jones. The fifth-year passer heaved another two interceptions to Seattle's defense in Week 4, including a pick-6 that went almost the length of the field.
MORE: Will the Giants bench Daniel Jones?
It's a concerning trend for Jones, who will be locked into his contract with the Giants through at least the 2024 season before his cap numbers get a bit more reasonable. Still, it's a long way to then, and the Giants need Jones to start playing well ASAP to keep their slim and dwindling playoff hopes alive.
It hasn't been pretty, and it was much more than that on Monday night. Here's a quick look at Daniel Jones' issues taking care of the ball:
Daniel Jones turnovers
Entering the Week 4 "Monday Night Football" matchup vs. the Seahawks, Daniel Jones had thrown 38 interceptions and fumbled the ball 23 times, for a total of 61 turnovers in just 57 career games.
Jones added another three turnovers to that tally on Monday night, for a total of 64 turnovers since the 2019 season. Jones threw two interceptions including a 97-yard Pick-6 to rookie Devon Witherspoon. He was also strip-sacked on the night, making the 24th fumble lost in his career.
So, through all that, Jones is averaging over a turnover per game since his anointing as an NFL starter. That's hardly franchise-passer stuff.
Daniel Jones contract details
On March 7, the Giants signed Jones to a four-year, $160 million contract extension that carries $92 million in guaranteed money. Jones was the ninth quarterback to reach the $40 million AAV mark.
He cashed in on a season in which he threw just 15 touchdown passes, one of the lowest marks among starters in the NFL.
The contract isn't all it seems, though: While the money is gaudy, the years are not, and the Giants can get out of the deal after the 2024 season should Jones not play well. Still, that might be too little (or too much) too late for Brian Daboll and Joe Schoen, who need to get back to winning ways in New York, and fast.
Here's a quick overview of Jones' yearly money, cap hits and more:
| Year | Base salary | Bonuses | Restructure | Cap hit | Dead cap |
| 2023 | $1,080,000 | $12,250,000 | $2,105,000 | $15,435,000 | $81,500,000 |
| 2024 | $35,500,000 | $11,605,000 | $2,105,000 | $47,105,000 | $69,315,000 |
| 2025 | $30,000,000 | $11,605,000 | $2,105,000 | $41,605,000 | $22,210,000 |
| 2026 | $46,500,000 | $12,105,000 | $2,105,000 | $58,605,000 | $11,105,000 |