On Thursday, Tom Brady of Fox Sports criticized former Giants quarterback Daniel Jones for requesting his release after being benched for business reasons. Before sharing his critique, Brady admitted, “I don’t know how that whole situation went down,” leaving room for speculation. To clarify, here’s a detailed account of the events, according to a source familiar with the situation.
Initially, the Giants asked Jones to stay home while still receiving his salary—a strategy the Raiders employed with Derek Carr two years ago to avoid triggering a $40 million guarantee. For this to happen, however, the player must agree to the arrangement, as per NFL rules established after Steve McNair’s 2006 grievance against the Titans. McNair and the NFLPA set a precedent, making it clear that teams cannot bar players from attending work for non-disciplinary reasons. While the Giants’ request was permissible and a logical extension of their decision to bench Jones, it became the starting point for his eventual decision to seek a release.
Jones initially wanted to stay active, assisting the team and helping other quarterbacks prepare for games. However, when he declined the Giants’ request to remain home, they altered his workout routine to minimize the risk of injury, effectively sidelining him. His training was restricted—limited lifting, no throwing during practices, and only scout-team walkthroughs—ensuring he stayed healthy and avoided triggering his $23 million injury guarantee for 2023. While these actions were rooted in business considerations, they also left Jones unable to contribute meaningfully to the team, leading to his frustration and eventual request for release.
Despite his criticism, Brady reportedly did not reach out to Jones or his representatives to understand his perspective. It’s easy for Brady to suggest he would have handled things differently, but his two-decade career never placed him in a comparable situation. What would he have done if the Patriots or Buccaneers had benched him for business reasons, restricted his training, and asked him to stay home?
Moreover, Brady’s own career decisions—leaving the Patriots in free agency, retiring and unretiring, and being linked to a potential move to the Dolphins—highlight that business considerations often shape a player’s choices. If other commentators had speculated about his motivations without seeking facts, would Brady have appreciated it?
With a reported $37.5 million annual contract from Fox, it’s reasonable to expect Brady to research a player’s side of the story before casting judgment on a massive broadcast platform watched by millions. Context matters, and presenting an informed perspective is part of the job.
Leave a Reply