Giants decline QB Daniel Jones’ fifth-year option, pick it up for DT Dexter Lawrence

NEW YORK — Daniel Jones has one more season at most — and only one — to prove he’s the Giants’ quarterback of the future.

As expected, GM Joe Schoen decided on Thursday that he will not pick up the fifth-year option on Jones’ rookie contract as a former first-round pick, a source confirmed.

Leaking that decision only hours before Thursday night’s NFL draft first round served as a reminder that the Giants are far from set at the sport’s most important position.

Picking up Jones’ option would have guaranteed him a $22.384 million salary for the 2023 season, per sources.

It wouldn’t have made sense for the Giants to lock themselves into that number given that the new regime is in wait-andsee mode on Jones’ ability.

If Jones falters this fall, the Giants will be in the market for a new quarterback in the 2023 NFL draft.

If Jones plays well and proves his worth, the Giants still have the franchise tag (projected at $31.497 million by overthecap.com) and transition tag ($28.337 million) available to keep him under contract in 2023.

So this is essentially a $5.9 million-to $9.1 million gamble.

The Giants did pick up the fifth-year option on defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence for 2023 on Thursday, a source confirmed.