In a recent episode of HBO's "Hard Knocks: Offseason with the New York Giants," Giants general manager Joe Schoen came to the defense of embattled quarterback Daniel Jones, stating that not even superstar Patrick Mahomes could have saved the team in the 2023 season. Schoen's comments shed light on the significant challenges faced by Jones, with injuries and a weak offensive line hindering his performance.

Addressing the media, Schoen pointed out that Jones had suffered three serious injuries in just two years, making it crucial for the Giants to plan for backup options. The lack of stability within the team prevented Jones from having a fair chance to showcase his abilities. Schoen stressed that despite this, the Giants are not giving up on Jones, as he is contracted for three more years. The general manager emphasized the importance of protecting themselves based on past experiences.

It is evident that the 2023 Giants would have fared better with a three-time Super Bowl champion like Patrick Mahomes leading the team, as opposed to the rotating cast of Jones, Tyrod Taylor, and Tommy DeVito. However, Schoen's comments highlight the significant role played by the Giants' porous offensive line, which proved detrimental to the season and hindered a proper evaluation of Jones' performance.

Jones, who received a four-year, $160 million contract before the season and coming off a playoff win against the Vikings, struggled to deliver on expectations. In a span of just six games, he threw two touchdowns and a disappointing six interceptions, accumulating only 909 passing yards. The quarterback's woes were further compounded by a neck injury, his second in three seasons, before a torn ACL abruptly ended his campaign in Week 9 against the Raiders.

Unfortunately for Jones, his offensive line provided little support, with the Giants ranking 30th in the annual offensive line rankings by Pro Football Focus. Injuries plagued Andrew Thomas, while the struggles of Evan Neal, their 2022 first-round pick, at right tackle added to their woes. The lackluster performance resulted in the Giants having one of the lowest-scoring offenses in the league.

One particular game that highlighted the team's offensive line struggles was their clash against Miami. Notably, Jones suffered a neck injury during this match, with the Giants forced to rely on two backups in the starting offensive line and reshuffling another starter to a different position. It is in situations like these that having a quarterback of Mahomes' caliber could have made a noticeable difference. However, Schoen emphasized that quarterbacks, even the best ones, struggle to succeed without solid offensive line play.

To address the issue, the Giants have made efforts during the offseason to bolster the offensive line's strength. They have acquired Jermaine Eluemunor and Jon Runyan to provide additional protection for Jones. Additionally, the team has signed Drew Lock as a backup, aligning with Schoen's stance of safeguarding against Jones' injury-prone history.

As the Giants reflect on the challenging 2023 season, it is clear that the struggles of Daniel Jones cannot be solely attributed to his performance alone. The team's offensive line deficiencies and the quarterback's unfortunate injury history played significant roles in their disappointing campaign. Looking ahead, the Giants hope that their offseason acquisitions and renewed emphasis on protection will pave the way for a more successful future.