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USMNT hammers Jamaica to advance in Nations League

The U.S. men’s national soccer team produced its best performance of the brief Mauricio Pochettino era on Monday, hammering Jamaica, 4-2, in the second leg of the Concacaf Nations League quarterfinal.

After winning 1-0 in the away leg on Thursday, the USMNT easily advanced to the semifinal with a 5-2 aggregate victory.

Christian Pulisic led the way with a brace, with Ricardo Pepi scoring yet again to give the U.S. a three-goal lead before halftime to end the tie as a contest.

Pochettino won’t be pleased with his side conceding two goals in the second half, but Tim Weah continued his recent hot streak with the USMNT’s fourth to provide the final margin of victory.

Here are three takeaways from a mostly excellent display at CityPark in St. Louis.

This is Pochettino ball

When U.S. Soccer decided to fire Gregg Berhalter this summer and open up its check book (with some notable help) to hire Mauricio Pochettino, this was the kind of performance it had in mind.

Against an admittedly weakened Jamaica side, the USMNT was dominant, ruthless, and suffocating in St. Louis — at least in the first half (more on that in a moment).

The USMNT’s first two goals were both the product of sensational build-outs, while the third came from a turnover high up the pitch. The fourth again saw a slick passing move finished emphatically by Weah.

Antonee Robinson started at left back, but the Fulham star spent much of the game playing central midfield with Weah flaring out wide left. The tweak gave Jamaica fits, with Robinson creating central overloads in possession and helping the USMNT win the ball back quickly when it turned over.

Pochettino, who has emphasized quickly winning the ball back after losing it, would have been especially pleased with the third goal from Ricardo Pepi — the product of a turnover high up the pitch and a ruthless finish from the in-form PSV man.

USMNT PLAYER RATINGS: Weah shines as Pochettino’s changes aid win over Jamaica

Pulisic climbing the ranks

Christian Pulisic is 26 years old, and now only three USMNT players are ahead of him on the team’s all-time goals list.

Pulisic scored his 32nd and 33rd career USMNT goals on Monday, passing Eric Wynalda for fourth place as he continues to cement his reputation as one of the greatest men’s players this country has ever produced.

The AC Milan star now trails only Jozy Altidore (42 goals) and co-leaders Clint Dempsey and Landon Donovan (57) on the all-time scoring charts.

Pulisic also became the fastest USMNT player to 50 goal contributions with his double on Monday.

At the rate Pulisic is going, there may be zero doubt who the national team’s GOAT is when his career comes to a close.

Second-half struggles

Though the game — and the tie — was mostly over by halftime, Pochettino still won’t be pleased with his side’s display in the second half.

Jamaica outscored the USMNT 2-1 in the second period, with Demarai Gray’s double souring what was an otherwise stellar night for the home side.

Defensive breakdowns led to the Al Ettifaq winger having a banner second half, as he found himself unmarked on his first goal and put home a rebound after another defensive breakdown for his second.

The USMNT has conceded four goals in four games in the Pochettino era, with three of them coming in the second half. That is a trend that the coach will need to correct as the team turns the page on 2024.

This post appeared first on USA TODAY
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House Republicans eye FEMA fund overhaul ahead of high-stakes hearing on Helene recovery

A group of House Republicans is pushing to overhaul how funds are organized at the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to more quickly get aid to communities devastated by Hurricane Helene.

Rep. Gary Palmer, R-Ala., chair of the House GOP Policy Committee, is leading a new bill that would move unspent funds the agency has from the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as certain unspent funds earmarked for previous natural disasters like Hurricane Katrina, into the FEMA Disaster Relief Fund.

It comes just hours before the House Oversight Committee is set to hold a high-stakes hearing over accusations that FEMA aid was politicized, with FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell expected to testify.

‘Millions of Americans were impacted by devastating hurricanes, and many are still seeking assistance and aid from FEMA to this day. Reports have now surfaced that a FEMA official recently instructed relief workers to avoid homes displaying support for President Donald Trump,’ House Oversight Committee Chair James Comer, R-Ky., said last week when announcing the hearing.

‘Not only are these actions by a FEMA employee completely unacceptable, but the committee remains deeply concerned that this is not an isolated incident at the agency.’

Palmer’s bill is backed by a wide spectrum of GOP lawmakers, from House Freedom Caucus members, like Reps. Anna Paulina Luna, R-Fla., and Byron Donalds, R-Fla., to more moderate Republicans, like Reps. Don Bacon, R-Neb., and Young Kim, R-Calif.

It’s one of several solutions proposed in Congress to help get more immediate dollars to FEMA’s disaster fund. 

Criswell told reporters on Monday that her agency ‘will need additional funding of approximately $40 billion beyond its 2025 budget request to support the ongoing recovery efforts to these storms and meet our overall mission requirements through the end of the fiscal year.’

The White House also requested $98 billion in additional disaster relief funding from Congress.

Congressional leaders on both sides of the aisle have pledged to act swiftly once getting a formal request from the Biden administration.

Helene ravaged part of the U.S. Southeast in late September, killing more than 100 people in North Carolina alone.

It’s estimated to have caused billions of dollars worth of damage as well.

House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., previously told Fox News Digital that he believed it could be one of the most expensive storms in U.S. history. 

This post appeared first on FOX NEWS
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Putin signs revised doctrine lowering threshold for nuclear response if Russia is attacked

Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a revised nuclear doctrine on Tuesday stating that any attack on Russia supported by a country with nuclear power could be grounds for a nuclear response.

Putin signed the new policy on the 1,000th day of the war with Ukraine and the day after President Biden authorized Ukraine to use U.S.-supplied longer-range missiles to strike inside Russia.

The doctrine also states that Russia could respond to aggression against its ally Belarus with nuclear weapons, The Associated Press reported.

Though the doctrine doesn’t specify that Russia will definitely respond to such attacks with nuclear weapons, it does mention the ‘uncertainty of scale, time and place of possible use of nuclear deterrent’ as key principles of deterrence.

When asked if the updated doctrine comes in response to Biden’s decision to ease restrictions on how Ukraine can strike Russia, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told the AP that the doctrine was published ‘in a timely manner.’ 

Peskov also said Putin told the government to update it earlier this year so that it’s ‘in line with the current situation’ – the Russian president led a meeting in September to discuss these proposed revisions to the doctrine.

Revealed in September, the doctrine now officially states that an attack on Russia by a nonnuclear power with the ‘participation or support of a nuclear power’ will be seen as a ‘joint attack on the Russian Federation.’

It also contains a broader range of conditions that would trigger the use of nuclear weapons, noting that they could be used in response to an air attack involving ballistic and cruise missiles, aircraft, drones and other flying vehicles.

The previous document threatened the use of Russia’s arsenal if ‘reliable information is received about the launch of ballistic missiles targeting the territory of Russia or its allies.’

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

This post appeared first on FOX NEWS
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RFK Jr. wants to disrupt our powerful health care complex and it is terrified

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is right– the U.S. is flunking health care. 

Our country spends nearly twice as much on medical care per person than other wealthy countries but our outcomes – measured by life expectancy, infant mortality, unmanaged diabetes and heart attack mortality — are far worse. This is an industry that begs to be disrupted. 

Whether Robert F. Kennedy Jr., whom President-elect Trump has nominated to run the Department of Health and Human Services, is the man for the job remains to be seen. Give him this: he has been fearless in calling out the obvious failures of the status quo.

The health care ‘establishment’ is outraged by RFK Jr. ‘s nomination, but they only have themselves to blame. Gallup reports that merely 31% of the country thinks of our health care industry positively, while 51% have a negative view. Imagine: our medical establishment has lower approval ratings than Vice President Kamala Harris. 

Why would that be? First, disenchantment with our medical officials soared during COVID. Anthony Fauci and others in charge had no idea what they were doing but nonetheless made up rules on the fly that required toddlers to wear masks, closed schools, shut down businesses and — later on — mandated vaccines and lied about their efficacy. And yet, for all the Draconian measures, the U.S. lost more people per capita to the pandemic than most other prosperous nations.  

Second, people are not stupid; they know they spend too much for health care, that it’s too complicated and that the government’s ever-expanding intrusion into the field has made it inefficient. According to the Peter G. Peterson Foundation, the U.S. spends about $1,000 per person solely on administrative costs related to medical services, ‘almost five times more than the average of other wealthy countries and more than [the country] spends on long-term health care.’ That, folks, is the tail wagging the dog. 

Doctors complain they cannot make a living even as they charge ever-higher fees, hospitals are struggling and the number of people without insurance is still too high. RFK Jr. has been railing about the dire state of our nation’s health for years. He is right. That we need to break some eggs is undeniable. It is also undeniable that the industries involved will fight any investigation tooth and nail. 

Makers of pharmaceuticals and health care products are the biggest lobbyists in the U.S., spending nearly $400 million in 2023; insurance, hospitals and HMOs are close behind. All that money goes to protect the status quo and their role in our dysfunctional system. Since almost half of our health care dollars come from federal or state and local government, legislation is critical to shaping the industry’s direction. 

So are legislators. Hence, health care companies also give heavily to political campaigns. In the recent election cycle, according to Open Secrets, the sector donated $63 million to Kamala Harris compared to $15 million to Donald Trump. When one party calls for government-run health care and free medical services for millions of migrants in the country illegally, while the other party proposes a radical upending of entrenched industry leaders, the self-interested choice is clear. 

Many commentators have expressed concerns about Trump’s nomination of RFK Jr., noting especially his skepticism about childhood vaccines. They worry he may persuade families to opt out of decades-old inoculations that have eliminated measles and that protect against other diseases. That would indeed be tragic.

But where were those alarmists when millions of unvaccinated people were allowed to enter our country illegally? Earlier this year in Chicago, 57 people came down with measles in a migrant shelter in Chicago, with the outbreak traced to an unvaccinated infant. It turns out that some 88% of the migrants arriving in the Windy City are from Venezuela which, according to the CDC, has seen a ‘recent decline in routine childhood immunization coverage.’   

RFK Jr. has staked out other controversial positions on the use of fluoride, the prevalence of food dyes, the dangers of processed foods and many other topics. He has backed off some of the most worrisome outliers, like arguing that chemicals in our water may lead to transgenderism; he has also declared he will not take away anyone’s vaccines. Still, some doubt he will survive a likely confirmation challenge.

One of his campaign themes likely to find widespread support is trying to combat the prevalence of chronic diseases and tackling obesity. Over 40% of Americans are obese, not only leading to poor quality of life, but also contributing to our nation’s out-of-control health care expenditures. An estimated 129 million people in our country have at least one chronic disease. 

Former CDC director Dr. Tom Frieden told NPR: ‘There are some things that RFK Jr. gets right. We do have a chronic disease crisis in this country…’ With oversight of the CDC and the Food and Drug Administration, Kennedy can push for new rules on ultra-processed foods, school menus, dietary guidelines and much more. 

Trying to Make America Healthy Again, as RFK jr. wants to do, is a Herculean task, but no harder than trying to slash the federal bureaucracy, as Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy are attempting with the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Both undertakings are critical to our country’s fiscal prospects and in the long-term best interests of every American. Given the fierce resistance both efforts will face, they will also take guts.

That quality has been in tragically short supply among our leaders. President Joe Biden brags that he helped reduce the price of insulin for the nearly 40 million Americans who suffer from Type 2 diabetes. Why hasn’t he talked up CDC guidance that says, ‘You may be able to manage your diabetes with healthy eating and being active,’ and try to get people off insulin altogether? 

Biden is afraid of insulting obese Americans; RFK Jr. and his fellow Trumpian disruptors are fearless – which may be exactly what’s needed to Make America Great (and Healthy) Again. 

This post appeared first on FOX NEWS
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Trump naming Cabinet officials at ‘warp speed,’ far head of first term pace

President-elect Trump appears to be a politician in a hurry when it comes to staffing his upcoming second administration’s top jobs.

Trump has announced roughly 20 Cabinet and other top-level positions in the nearly two weeks since decisively winning the 2024 presidential election over Vice President Kamala Harris.

The former and future president’s staffing pace is far ahead of where he was eight years ago, after his first White House victory.

And he’s also making his picks at a quicker rate than President Biden following his 2020 election, and former President Obama 16 years ago.

One reason for the quick pace – unlike eight years ago when Trump and his top aides were relatively new to the process, this time they’re experienced hands. And this time around, Trump enjoys a larger national mandate, due to his sweeping Electoral College victory and his capturing of the national vote, which he didn’t accomplish in his 2016 White House win.

‘He certainly knows the ropes and I guess in some ways, he kind of knows the dopes. He knows who he likes and knows who he doesn’t. He knows what he wants to accomplish,’ Matt Mowers, a veteran Republican consultant and 2020 GOP congressional nominee in New Hampshire who worked on Trump’s 2016-2017 transition and served in the first Trump administration, told Fox News.

Mowers noted that the clock’s ticking for Trump.

‘It shows that they recognize that with only four guaranteed years, they have to make an impact starting on day one. So it’s one of the reasons why they’ve chosen candidates at the speed he has and really started to announce policy at the speed he has – because they know they only have four years to really fundamentally guarantee a change of direction of the country based on what he campaigned on,’ Mowers emphasized.

Matthew Bartlett, another Republican consultant who also served at the State Department during Trump’s first term, told Fox News that ‘we are seeing the operation warp speed, that Trump is rapid-fire naming Cabinet and agency heads.’

‘Some of that is because he absolutely knows who he wants in place for his second term,’ Bartlett said. ‘And it’s possible that some of it is because he is extemporaneously firing off names that are in his ear. So this looks like a mix of professionals and possibles.’

But the past-face of announcements could potentially have a downside when it comes to the Senate confirmation of some of the more controversial picks by Trump.

‘The American people have an appetite, maybe even a demand, for a disruptor, but I’m not sure that they voted to see a destroyer as a Cabinet secretary,’ Bartlett said.

And he predicted that some of the nominees ‘are going to go down’ during the Senate confirmation process.

This post appeared first on FOX NEWS
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NFL MVP odds: Josh Allen, Lamar Jackson dueling in MVP race

Sunday’s Week 11 is in the books, and with it, playoff positioning continues to become increasingly clear. However, after this week’s results, the NFL MVP race received a shake-up. According to the latest NFL MVP odds, the favorite for the league’s most prestigious award has a new name next to it.

The Dallas Cowboys and Houston Texans still play on ‘Monday Night Football’ before Week 11 concludes, but there’s already a new leader in the clubhouse in MVP odds.

Quarterback Lamar Jackson is the reigning MVP and has spent most of the season as the favorite, according to BetMGM’s NFL MVP odds. That was until Sunday when the Buffalo Bills knocked off the undefeated and defending Super Bowl champion Chiefs.

Josh Allen of the Bills has leapfrogged the field and is the new favorite in NFL MVP odds after Week 11. The last time a non-quarterback won the NFL MVP award was in 2012, when running back Adrian Peterson won. He finished that season with 2,097 rushing yards. Before Peterson, it was Ladanian Tomlinson in 2006 when he had 28 touchdowns and more than 1,800 rushing yards. As history suggests, the current top 10 players in MVP odds are all quarterbacks.

NFL MVP odds

Here’s which players are the favorites for the NFL MVP award after 11 weeks of action, according to BetMGM on Monday:

NFL STATS CENTRAL: The latest NFL scores, schedules, odds, stats and more.

1. Josh Allen, QB, Buffalo Bills: +150

Allen has never claimed an MVP award but has finished in the top five in voting in three of his last four seasons. He was the runner-up in 2020 behind Aaron Rodgers and a finalist in 2022 (third place) and 2023 (fifth place). After taking down the undefeated Chiefs in Week 11, he passed the reigning MVP Lamar Jackson as the favorite.

The Bills have won six consecutive games and are running away with the AFC East division title with their 9-2 record. Allen is sixth in the NFL with 18 passing touchdowns. He has been a wrecking ball, rushing for 316 yards and five touchdowns. Allen has protected the ball this season with just five interceptions. Buffalo is on a bye in Week 12, but Allen can put his stamp on the award when the team returns in Week 13 to host the defending NFC champion 49ers.

2. Lamar Jackson, QB, Baltimore Ravens: +200

The Ravens finished last season with a 13-4 record, the best in the league, and won the AFC North title. Quarterback Lamar Jackson earned his second MVP award after earlier winning in 2019. So far, 2024 has some resemblance to 2023, but that changed on Sunday. The Ravens lost to the division-rival Steelers 18-16, and Jackson was stifled.

Baltimore is two games behind the Steelers in the loss column. Jackson threw for just 207 yards, one touchdown and an interception in the loss. Despite the poor showing, he leads the NFL in quarterback rating and is second in touchdown passes. With seven weeks left to play, the MVP race between Allen and Jackson is heating up.

3. Jared Goff, QB, Detroit Lions: +650

Goff leads the NFL with an astronomical 73% completion percentage among quarterbacks who have played at least eight games. He’s in rare air like Drew Brees’ historic 74.4% mark in 2018. He is fourth in passing touchdowns and ninth in passing yards.

The Lions have the best record in the NFC at 9-1 and are coming off an explosive offensive performance against the Jaguars in Week 11.

Detroit’s schedule will provide Goff with an opportunity to show he is worthy of MVP honors. The Lions host the Chicago Bears in Week 13, then the Packers on ‘Thursday Night Football’ in Week 14. A clash with MVP favorite Josh Allen and the Bills will follow that. Goff’s ultimate test is in Week 17, with a chance at redemption for the NFC Championship loss on the road for ‘Monday Night Football’ against the 49ers. He can claim MVP honors if he continues the Lions on this upward trajectory against these opponents.

4. Patrick Mahomes, QB, Kansas City Chiefs: +1200

The two-time NFL MVP and reigning back-to-back Super Bowl MVP is on pace for the worst statistical season of his career. He’s on pace for his fewest passing touchdowns in a single season (25), his most interceptions in a season (18), his lowest passing-yard total since 2019 – a season in which he played just 14 games – and the worst passer rating of his career (90.3).

The Chiefs were handed their first loss of the season as Mahomes came up short against Allen on Sunday. He finished 23-for-33 for 196 yards, adding three touchdowns and two interceptions in the loss. Mahomes can pad his stats against the lowly Panthers and Raiders over the next two weeks.

5. Jalen Hurts, QB, Philadelphia Eagles: +1400

Philadelphia and Jalen Hurts are flying high with an 8-2 record after Week 11. Last season, the Eagles were the juggernaut of the entire NFL until December. Philadelphia had the best record in the NFL at 10-1 but finished the season at 11-6 after dropping five of its last six games after Hurts injured his shoulder. He is healthy in 2024 and is second in the NFL in rushing touchdowns (11) behind Derrick Henry (13).

Hurts finished runner-up behind Mahomes in the 2022 MVP voting, and he is playing better now than he did that season. The Eagles have won six in a row while Hurts is completing a career-high 69.2% of his passes with a career-best career-high 103.4 QB rating. He has thrown for 2,197 yards, 12 touchdowns and five interceptions. The Eagles have a path to the top seed in the NFC, which would vault Hurts into legitimate contention.

This post appeared first on USA TODAY
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NHL referee leaves ice on stretcher after collision

NHL referee Mitch Dunning was taken off the ice on a stretcher during a scary scene in Monday’s Colorado Avalanche-Philadelphia Flyers game.

Dunning was skating backward and Avalanche defenseman Josh Manson was skating into the play when the two collided during the first period. Manson appeared to catch him in the back and the referee spun and fell to the ice.

Medical personnel attended to Dunning as he lay motionless on the ice and eventually called for a stretcher.

The NHL said in a statement that Dunning was taken to a hospital as a precaution.

‘All neurological signs are normal, he is fully communicative and can move all his extremities,’ the league said.

The rest of the game was played with one referee and two linesmen.

This post appeared first on USA TODAY
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Christian Pulisic does Trump dance to celebrate goal in USMNT win

Add Christian Pulisic to the growing list of athletes doing the Donald Trump dance – the latest viral way to celebrate in sports.

Pulisic, captain of the U.S. men’s national soccer team, scored his first goal in a match against Jamaica in the 13th minute, and quickly burst into a Trump dance to celebrate.

It was the first of two goals Pulisic scored as USMNT defeated Jamaica, 4-2, on Monday night in St. Louis. With a 5-2 aggregate score against Jamaica, the USMNT advanced to the Concacaf Nations League semifinals. The semifinals and final of the Concacaf Nations League will be held at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, from March 20-23. The USMNT are three-time defending Concacacf Nations League champions.

As for the Trump dance, it’s the latest craze in sports since Trump won the 2024 presidential election.

“I’ve seen everyone do it,” Bowers told USA TODAY Sports. “I watched the UFC fight [Saturday] night and Jon Jones did it. I like watching UFC so I saw it, and thought it was cool.”

San Francisco 49ers edge rusher Nick Bosa started the Trump dance trend in the NFL, while several college football players have also participated with dances of their own.

The USA TODAY app gets you to the heart of the news fast. Download for award-winning coverage, crosswords, audio storytelling, the eNewspaper and more.

This post appeared first on USA TODAY
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Giants QB options in 2025: Could another starter replace Daniel Jones?

The New York Giants appear to have reached their breaking point with Daniel Jones’ tenure.

The team on Monday confirmed its plan to bench its starting quarterback and replace him with Tommy DeVito. With a five-game skid sending the Giants to 2-8 and Jones having a $23 million injury guarantee for 2025, the odds are stacked against the No. 6 overall pick of the 2019 NFL draft to make a return to the lineup for Big Blue – either this year or beyond.

Where, then, do coach Brian Daboll and general manager Joe Schoen – both of whom Giants co-owner John Mara has stated he intends to retain for next season – turn at the position in what could be the defining year of their partnership?

Schoen tried to trade up for one of the top quarterbacks in this year’s draft but was unable to climb the board, and he instead settled for wide receiver Malik Nabers. The 2025 class figures to offer fewer surefire candidates for top-five picks behind center. Given that landscape, the Giants could be a candidate to pursue a veteran signal-caller as a bridge option. And with the Atlanta Falcons’ Kirk Cousins and New Orleans Saints’ Derek Carr currently looking like long shots to be dealt given financial and competitive considerations, New York might need to double dip in both free agency and the draft to feel comfortable about its setup next season.

Here are seven options for players who could serve as Jones’ eventual replacement for the Giants in 2025:

All things Giants: Latest New York Giants news, schedule, roster, stats, injury updates and more.

Sam Darnold, Minnesota Vikings

His reward for a resurgent season with the Vikings is likely another trip to the open market and his fifth different team in six years. Though he has posted a career-best 100 passer rating, Darnold doesn’t seem to be any threat to hold on to the starting job past this season, with first-round pick J.J. McCarthy expected to take the reins after missing his entire rookie campaign due to a knee injury. After a 5-0 start during which he earned NFC Offensive Player of the Month honors for September, Darnold stumbled a bit and saw his turnover-happy play resurface with a combined five interceptions in wins over the Jacksonville Jaguars and Indianapolis Colts. That operating style might only be able to be mitigated rather than eradicated, leaving the Giants to weigh how much risk tolerance they have after enduring Jones’ giveaways. Still, he would surely unlock more in the deep passing attack with his aggressive approach.

Justin Fields, Pittsburgh Steelers

Like Darnold, Fields seems bound to return to the free agent market this spring as another fringe starter who serves as somewhat of a placeholder for a franchise eyeing a top draft pick. His six-game stint leading the Steelers before Russell Wilson’s return assuaged some concerns about his aptitude for that role. His career-bests on several fronts showed a more discerning style (66.3% completion rate, 0.6% interception rate) and quicker trigger (9.09% sack rate), though persistent fumbles led to him being called out by Mike Tomlin. Though Fields bemoaned that he didn’t play well enough to stave off Wilson, he could be a fitting caretaker for the Giants for a season, especially with his ability to extend plays and threaten defenses as a runner.

Shedeur Sanders, Colorado

Sanders was USA TODAY Sports pick for the Giants in our most recent NFL mock draft. While the 6-2, 215-pound signal-caller might not be considered a truly elite quarterback prospect on the level of last year’s top options at the position, his skill set could set him up for a somewhat smooth transition in New York. Above all, he is a precise passer who is accustomed to facing subpar conditions, particularly with his protection. While he would need to continue to speed up his internal clock in the pocket and play with more anticipation, he would likely be the most starter-ready option in the draft. And with Deion Sanders having referenced that ‘it’s gonna be an Eli (Manning)’ outcome if he and his son don’t like the organization targeting Shedeur, the Giants size up as one of the more quarterback-friendly outfits at the top of the draft.

Cam Ward, Miami (Fla.)

The two-time transfer from Incarnate Word and Washington State has taken advantage of his decision to join the Hurricanes rather than jump to the NFL last year, throwing for 32 touchdowns this season while establishing himself as one of the top two prospects at his position. Given the dazzling downfield strikes and off-platform throws he can ignite with his easy athleticism, it’s not hard to see why teams would take a shot on the 6-2, 223-pounder as a high-ceiling signal-caller. But his future coaching staff might not be able to tolerate his proclivity for turnover-worthy plays the same way his college coaches have, especially if he’s forced into a situation in New York where Daboll and Schoen don’t necessarily have a long runway with his development. Ward would likely need to sit behind a veteran in New York at least to start his rookie season, but that pairing and outcome might be one of the best possible outcomes for both parties.

Jalen Milroe, Alabama

At 6-2 and 225 pounds with breakaway speed and rocket arm strength, Milroe would be the ultimate pivot from the Jones years. As such, he would require a fairly extensive offensive overhaul, with the attack catered to his strengths while obscuring his still-developing game as a passer. Even then, his installation at starter could be delayed for some time unless the Giants are prepared to ride out his issues with his pocket presence and anticipation.

Carson Beck, Georgia

At 6-4 and 220 pounds, Beck looks the part of a franchise passer even if he doesn’t always play like one, as he gets by with functional arm strength and athleticism while thriving in the intermediate game. Sound familiar? Giants fans might not be repelled by a passer who resembles Jones in many ways if it weren’t for Beck’s collapse this season, which has included four multiple-interception games and 12 picks total. Rediscovering his 2023 form (24 touchdowns, six interceptions) and showing greater poise under pressure are necessary steps for Beck to rehabilitate his draft stock. But if the Giants don’t go for a quarterback in the first round, he could be a Day 2 consideration.

Quinn Ewers, Texas

He’s another consideration in the line of high-upside passers who might have to sit and learn behind a more established starter. Ewers’ arm strength has been his calling card since he was one of the most sought-after quarterback recruits of the last 10 years, with the full field available to the 6-2, 210-pound passer. But despite showing signs of significant progress in 2024, the junior still hasn’t been able to establish the consistency that would cement him as a first-round prospect. His stock could still surge, however, if he shows off in the Longhorns’ potential College Football Playoff run.

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Giants’ 2025 QB options: Could another starter replace Daniel Jones?

The New York Giants appear to have reached their breaking point with Daniel Jones’ tenure.

The team on Monday confirmed its plan to bench its starting quarterback and replace him with Tommy DeVito. With a five-game skid sending the Giants to 2-8 and Jones having a $23 million injury guarantee for 2025, the odds are stacked against the No. 6 overall pick of the 2019 NFL draft to make a return to the lineup for Big Blue – either this year or beyond.

Where, then, do coach Brian Daboll and general manager Joe Schoen – both of whom Giants co-owner John Mara has stated he intends to retain for next season – turn at the position in what could be the defining year of their partnership?

Schoen tried to trade up for one of the top quarterbacks in this year’s draft but was unable to climb the board, and he instead settled for wide receiver Malik Nabers. The 2025 class figures to offer fewer surefire candidates for top-five picks behind center. Given that landscape, the Giants could be a candidate to pursue a veteran signal-caller as a bridge option. And with the Atlanta Falcons’ Kirk Cousins and New Orleans Saints’ Derek Carr currently looking like long shots to be dealt given financial and competitive considerations, New York might need to double dip in both free agency and the draft to feel comfortable about its setup next season.

Here are seven options for players who could serve as Jones’ eventual replacement for the Giants in 2025:

All things Giants: Latest New York Giants news, schedule, roster, stats, injury updates and more.

Sam Darnold, Minnesota Vikings

His reward for a resurgent season with the Vikings is likely another trip to the open market and his fifth different team in six years. Though he has posted a career-best 100 passer rating, Darnold doesn’t seem to be any threat to hold on to the starting job past this season, with first-round pick J.J. McCarthy expected to take the reins after missing his entire rookie campaign due to a knee injury. After a 5-0 start during which he earned NFC Offensive Player of the Month honors for September, Darnold stumbled a bit and saw his turnover-happy play resurface with a combined five interceptions in wins over the Jacksonville Jaguars and Indianapolis Colts. That operating style might only be able to be mitigated rather than eradicated, leaving the Giants to weigh how much risk tolerance they have after enduring Jones’ giveaways. Still, he would surely unlock more in the deep passing attack with his aggressive approach.

Justin Fields, Pittsburgh Steelers

Like Darnold, Fields seems bound to return to the free agent market this spring as another fringe starter who serves as somewhat of a placeholder for a franchise eyeing a top draft pick. His six-game stint leading the Steelers before Russell Wilson’s return assuaged some concerns about his aptitude for that role. His career-bests on several fronts showed a more discerning style (66.3% completion rate, 0.6% interception rate) and quicker trigger (9.09% sack rate), though persistent fumbles led to him being called out by Mike Tomlin. Though Fields bemoaned that he didn’t play well enough to stave off Wilson, he could be a fitting caretaker for the Giants for a season, especially with his ability to extend plays and threaten defenses as a runner.

Shedeur Sanders, Colorado

Sanders was USA TODAY Sports pick for the Giants in our most recent NFL mock draft. While the 6-2, 215-pound signal-caller might not be considered a truly elite quarterback prospect on the level of last year’s top options at the position, his skill set could set him up for a somewhat smooth transition in New York. Above all, he is a precise passer who is accustomed to facing subpar conditions, particularly with his protection. While he would need to continue to speed up his internal clock in the pocket and play with more anticipation, he would likely be the most starter-ready option in the draft. And with Deion Sanders having referenced that ‘it’s gonna be an Eli (Manning)’ outcome if he and his son don’t like the organization targeting Shedeur, the Giants size up as one of the more quarterback-friendly outfits at the top of the draft.

Cam Ward, Miami (Fla.)

The two-time transfer from Incarnate Word and Washington State has taken advantage of his decision to join the Hurricanes rather than jump to the NFL last year, throwing for 32 touchdowns this season while establishing himself as one of the top two prospects at his position. Given the dazzling downfield strikes and off-platform throws he can ignite with his easy athleticism, it’s not hard to see why teams would take a shot on the 6-2, 223-pounder as a high-ceiling signal-caller. But his future coaching staff might not be able to tolerate his proclivity for turnover-worthy plays the same way his college coaches have, especially if he’s forced into a situation in New York where Daboll and Schoen don’t necessarily have a long runway with his development. Ward would likely need to sit behind a veteran in New York at least to start his rookie season, but that pairing and outcome might be one of the best possible outcomes for both parties.

Jalen Milroe, Alabama

At 6-2 and 225 pounds with breakaway speed and rocket arm strength, Milroe would be the ultimate pivot from the Jones years. As such, he would require a fairly extensive offensive overhaul, with the attack catered to his strengths while obscuring his still-developing game as a passer. Even then, his installation at starter could be delayed for some time unless the Giants are prepared to ride out his issues with his pocket presence and anticipation.

Carson Beck, Georgia

At 6-4 and 220 pounds, Beck looks the part of a franchise passer even if he doesn’t always play like one, as he gets by with functional arm strength and athleticism while thriving in the intermediate game. Sound familiar? Giants fans might not be repelled by a passer who resembles Jones in many ways if it weren’t for Beck’s collapse this season, which has included four multiple-interception games and 12 picks total. Rediscovering his 2023 form (24 touchdowns, six interceptions) and showing greater poise under pressure are necessary steps for Beck to rehabilitate his draft stock. But if the Giants don’t go for a quarterback in the first round, he could be a Day 2 consideration.

Quinn Ewers, Texas

He’s another consideration in the line of high-upside passers who might have to sit and learn behind a more established starter. Ewers’ arm strength has been his calling card since he was one of the most sought-after quarterback recruits of the last 10 years, with the full field available to the 6-2, 210-pound passer. But despite showing signs of significant progress in 2024, the junior still hasn’t been able to establish the consistency that would cement him as a first-round prospect. His stock could still surge, however, if he shows off in the Longhorns’ potential College Football Playoff run.

This post appeared first on USA TODAY
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