With the calendar flipped to July, Giants.com asks 22 important questions leading up to the start of the 2022 training camp at the Quest Diagnostics Training Center.
For 22 days, a member of the Giants.com crew will answer one question about the roster, coaching staff, schedule, and much more.
No. 14: Who is the X-factor for the season?
Lance Medow: There are several strong candidates for this answer, but no matter how you slice it, all signs point toward quarterback Daniel Jones for a variety of reasons. Jones has missed at least two starts due to injury in each of his first three seasons and missed the final six games of 2021. The Giants need him to stay healthy for the bulk of this season for his progression and also for the well-being of the offense. New York averaged 15.2 points per game in 2021 and 17.5 in 2020. Several factors influence offensive production, but the quarterback by far has the biggest impact, and his decision-making and consistency will determine the ceiling of that unit.
If you look at the Bills and Chiefs, their level of success can be attributed to the play of their respective signal callers. Both teams have a pretty good idea what they'll get out of their quarterbacks from game to game. The same can be said for the consistent playoff contenders in the NFL unless their defenses are extremely opportunistic and have a knack for manufacturing points themselves, which are few and far between. Whether it's fair or not, Jones' performance will be synonymous with the team's upside and, most important, record. If the overall offense takes a significant step forward in 2022, it will be a product of the starting quarterback. That's why he's the X-factor.
Take a look at rare photos of New York Giants training camps through the years.
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