New York Giants legend Osi Umenyiora is right: When your quarterback gets paid what he is paid, there can’t be any more excuses for subpar play.
Osi Umenyiora, a two-time Super Bowl champion and one of the greatest defensive ends in New York Giants history, isn’t one to mince words. So when he recently called out the team’s quarterback situation, it wasn’t just a hot take — it was a reality check. And he’s absolutely right.
In today’s NFL, quarterback salaries are not just numbers on a contract — they’re declarations. When a franchise commits tens of millions of dollars annually to a quarterback, it’s saying, “We believe this is the guy who can take us to the promised land.” With that belief comes expectation, scrutiny, and accountability.
For the Giants, that quarterback is Daniel Jones. After a few inconsistent seasons and flashes of potential, the organization decided to pay him like a franchise quarterback. His four-year, $160 million deal wasn’t just a payday — it was a statement. But now that the ink is dry and the money is flowing, the excuses have to stop.
Yes, there have been injuries. Yes, the offensive line has been shaky. Yes, coaching changes and system adjustments take time. But all of that is baked into the cost. Top-tier quarterbacks elevate the players around them. They rise above dysfunction. They make the tough throws, the right reads, and the game-winning drives — not just occasionally, but consistently.
This isn’t about piling on Daniel Jones. It’s about the principle. Whether it’s Jones or any other QB in the league, the moment a player signs a massive deal, the conversation changes. It should. That level of investment demands results, not reasons.
Osi Umenyiora knows what championship football looks like. He played alongside Eli Manning — a quarterback who, while not always elite statistically, delivered in the clutch and carried the weight of the franchise without flinching. Umenyiora understands that in New York, you don’t just get judged by your potential — you get judged by your production.
As the Giants head into another season filled with questions, one thing is clear: Daniel Jones (or whoever is under center) has to prove he’s worth the investment. The fanbase has waited long enough. The defense has done its job. The coaching staff has retooled. It’s time for the quarterback to deliver.
Osi’s words aren’t criticism — they’re a challenge. One that every high-paid quarterback should expect. In the NFL, you don’t get paid for what you might become. You get paid to win.