Emotional Jones says he’ll ‘miss’ Garrett as Kitchens takes the reins
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Daniel Jones clearly wasn’t ready to say goodbye to Jason Garrett.
“I’ll miss him,” Jones said Wednesday of Garrett’s firing the day before.
The third-year quarterback got uncharacteristically emotional describing Tuesday’s farewell conversation with Garrett after Jones had learned the news from head coach Joe Judge in person at the facility.
“It was obviously a tough conversation and um,” a slightly choked-up Jones said, scratching the back of his head with his left hand. “I think just him being the guy he is, wishing the best for us, wishing the best for me. And I think that was most of that.”
Garrett, 55, rarely left Jones’ side while he was here. He took the quarterback’s personal and professional development seriously. It was his primary job after all: to help the Giants’ franchise QB grow and succeed.
Garrett and Jones, 24, had a catch after every practice or competed in light-hearted throwing competitions, like who could hit the crossbar of the goalposts from 40 yards out first.
Jones said he feels like he let Garrett down. Clearly, the quarterback feels like the offense’s failure was not all on the OC.
“I feel responsible for our lack of production as an offense,” Jones said. “I feel that. I think we all should feel that. I think if you don’t feel like that, there’s an issue. And we all take responsibility for our lack of production. I certainly do. That’s what makes it tough.”
Senior offensive assistant Freddie Kitchens, who is expected to take over play-calling, took Garrett’s spot with the quarterbacks and QB coach Jerry Schuplinski during Wednesday’s individual drills.
Notes: There are 11 players on the Giants’ Week 12 injury report including safety Logan Ryan, who “hasn’t really moved any closer on the testing as far as getting back” off the COVID-19 reserve list, Judge said. That means Ryan hasn’t received a negative test yet. He needs two negatives 24 hours apart to test off the reserve list and be active for Sunday’s game.
Wednesday’s practice was only a walkthrough, but there were six players projected as non-participants: WRS Kadarius Toney (left quad) and Sterling Shepard (quad), TES Kyle Rudolph (right ankle) and Kaden Smith (knee), and special teamers Cullen Gillaspia (calf ) and Nate Ebner (knee).