Jayden Daniels looked like the real deal on Monday night, completing all but two passes while throwing for two touchdowns and running in another.
It was a national introduction in one of the most brilliant performances ever by a rookie, and perhaps a painful reminder of what could have been for the Giants had they had a higher draft pick.
“I’ll say this, Giants fans. Last year, there was do much talk about your coach having to win games for morale and not losing the locker room...and he did,” Keith said. “He got them to rally and win some games. But what was it for?
“I guess it was for Malik Nabers, which is not bad. But you’re still gonna need a quarterback.”
Back in November of last year, the Giants were staring at a 2-8 record and a potential top draft pick for a class that was loaded with hyped quarterback talent, particularly Caleb Williams and Daniels. But New York responded with three straight wins and a victory over the rival Eagles in their season finale, settling for the sixth overall pick. That pick was turned into Nabers, who looks like a star in his own right. But the franchise quarterback is the most important piece to hit on, and Keith says missing out on Daniels, only to have him land in their own division, could haunt Big Blue for years to come.
“There’s people saying Sam Darnold is gonna be the quarterback of the Giants next year. Yikes,” Keith said.
“Jayden Daniels has arrived...Brian Daboll wanted him. They asked if he would trade up for him and he said ‘Yup. I’ve seen enough.’ I think we’ve all seen enough.”