The Giants weren’t able to get the extensive look at Daniel Jones that were hoping for due to his season-ending neck injury, but if you ask their veteran tight end, the team has seen plenty enough to know that he is the franchise’s quarterback of the future.
Joining Tiki and Tierney on Tuesday afternoon, Kyle Rudolph praised Jones as an athlete and a leader, saying the Giants have a quarterback that can lead them to a Super Bowl with the right pieces around him.
“In my opinion, the way I look at quarterbacks in this league and deciding if a guy is a franchise quarterback or not is if you can win a Super Bowl with him, and I think that answer is ‘yes’ 10 times out of 10 with DJ,” Rudolph said. “The skillset he brings, his athleticism, he was leading our team in rushing for the first month or two of the season…it adds a huge element to an offense that makes it really hard for defenses to defend.”
Rudolph also went as far to say that Jones is the best quarterback he has played alongside across his extensive NFL career.
“Absolutely, I’ve said that since day one,” Rudolph said. “He’s certainly the most talented guy that I’ve ever played with, and I’ve certainly played with a lot. Jake Fromm was my 14th over the 11 years that I’ve been in the league. I’ve certainly had my fair share of starting quarterbacks in this league and I’ve seen a lot in this league. I look back to guys like a healthy Sam Bradford who is one of the best that I’ve ever played with. The ability he had to put the ball in places, and DJ has that, but he also has the athleticism piece to where he can make things happen.”
Rudolph’s list of quarterbacks that he has played alongside isn’t the most glamorous, even if he has been in the league since 2011. But the list includes Bradford, Christian Ponder, Terry Bridgewater, Case Keenum, Kirk Cousins and others, and he believes Jones is better than them all. It certainly seems like the Giants are missing Jones with their putrid offensive performances in recent weeks, and Rudolph thinks Jones’ true potential will shine once he is surrounded by pieces that can bring out his ability.
“We have to be better for him on offense and put him in better situations and protect him instead of DJ having to win every game for us,” Rudolph said. “Maybe have his ability shine through other people…so the entire football world can see what we see on a daily basis.”
Follow Ryan Chichester on Twitter: @ryanchichester1
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