As Daniel Jones approaches his first foray into free agency following the expiration of his contract, interest from multiple NFL teams is anticipated. According to Jeremy Fowler of Moneyline, the Las Vegas Raiders have been identified by league insiders as a viable option for the quarterback, particularly due to their ongoing uncertainty at the position. Additionally, the San Francisco 49ers are also being monitored closely, especially with Brock Purdy currently dealing with a shoulder injury.
Jones' benching by the New York Giants in favor of backup Tommy DeVito earlier in the week preceded the official announcement from the organization that they fulfilled his request for release after discussions with team president John Mara. While there was a prevailing expectation that the Giants would part ways with Jones after the conclusion of the season, this early release allows him the chance to engage with a new coaching staff, potentially enabling him to rebuild his value ahead of the upcoming offseason.
The Raiders presently find themselves in a challenging position with a 2-8 record, ranking second-worst in the AFC, trailing only the Jacksonville Jaguars, who hold a 2-9 record. Gardner Minshew II and Aidan O'Connell have split starting responsibilities, with the duo amassing a total of 2,238 passing yards, 10 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions. The future of the 49ers’ quarterback situation hinges on the duration of Purdy's absence; he has already been ruled out for an imminent game against the Green Bay Packers. Brandon Allen is slated to earn his first NFL start since the 2021 season. Though Purdy's shoulder issue is not considered severe, the 49ers might prefer to secure an additional quarterback for precautionary reasons. Fowler also speculated that the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Dallas Cowboys could be potential targets for Jones, given that the Jaguars have been without Trevor Lawrence due to a shoulder injury, while the Cowboys opted not to pursue a replacement after Dak Prescott's season-ending injury.
