Daniel Jones is out as the face of the New York Giants.
Just months after the franchise chose its signal-caller over superstar running back Saquon Barkley, Jones has been cast aside.
He was reportedly deployed as a scout team safety during Thursday’s practice – a move that many fans thought went too far.
Jones gave an emotional statement to the media after the session, speaking of his pride in representing Big Blue.
And then on Friday he was released by the team, in a move first reported by ESPN’s Jordan Schultz. It was later reported that he is expected to clear waivers and be available as a free agent.
But amid a wave of sympathy, former Giants cornerback Jason Bell reminded the $160million QB’s fans that the NFL is all business.
“This is the NFL, and as a player, I feel bad for him. I understand. But never forget, it’s always business,” he told talkSPORT.
“Sometimes they say, ‘Now it’s the business end of the season.’ It’s always business in the NFL.
“He’s an expensive quarterback. And when you pay a quarterback a lot of money, he is there to carry your team. You are not there to carry him.
“Right now, they’re showing you, and they’re telling you they’re gonna make a decision to move on, so you gotta sit him down.”
Backup quarterback Drew Lock was overlooked in favor of hometown hero Tommy DeVito in the race to replace Jones.
And Bell had some sympathy for the former Denver Bronco after missing out due to factors out of his control.
“I do feel bad for Drew Lock, the backup, because I thought he should get the opportunity to play,” he added.
“But this is another thing. This is an entertainment sport. Never forget it.
“New York wants to see Tommy DeVito play because of excitement.
“He’s from the area, right? So people are gonna watch him and think, ‘I saw that kid play in high school.’ And that gets people to turn out.
“That gets your fanbase excited about something. And that matters, especially when they haven’t been excited about a lot.”
Some people have questioned whether the Giants’ quarterback decision may be evidence they are tanking for Shedeur Sanders or Cam Ward.
But Bell thinks the team will do everything to win – even if it results in a worse draft pick.
“I think this is why you see the separation of power in a lot of teams, meaning you got the head coach out there coaching the players, trying to win games, and you got the front office building the team and thinking about the future,” he explained.
“Because you get to a point like this and you are thinking about the future. You are thinking about your next step. You’re managing the cap, how much money you have, and your personnel, right?
“Great coaches are just trying to win the game, as are players. But the personnel decisions made are always about the future.”
The 2-8 Giants take on the 4-6 Tampa Bay Buccaneers Sunday as DeVito looks to bring some cheer to New York just as namesake Danny’s royalties start to arrive from holiday Home Alone screenings.
talkSPORT is your home of the NFL on UK radio, join us on Sunday from 6pm on talkSPORT2 for live coverage of Minnesota Vikings @ Chicago Bears
Catch up with the news from around the league by watching our weekly Rundown review show – hit play below for the latest episode