Daniel Jones left because he had recently become extremely wealthy.

After turning down his fifth-year option last spring, he had emerged as a franchise quarterback, and the Giants would now need to come up with a nine-figure contract. As it turned out, Jones’ historic performance in his playoff debut against the Vikings raised too many questions about his impending large salary.

Would Jones receive over $30 million annually? Over $35 million per person? Over $40 million per person?

However, Jones gained something far more valuable than guaranteed money by leading the underachieving Giants to the Super Bowl tournament’s second round prior to the team’s disastrous crash landing at the Linc on Saturday night. Everyone in the NFL, even those who laughed at him when he was selected sixth overall in 2019 and dismissed him as a turnover machine with a history of injuries, had to give him their undying respect.

It’s terrible that Jones’s fourth season had to come to an end the way it did in the Eagles’ 38-7 thumping of the top-seeded team—who play in a completely different league—on Saturday. It is not Minnesota, Philly. It can be all Jalen Hurts’ and friends’ to win.

Jones, along with the Giants? The way Brian Daboll coached in the early going, attempting and failing to get a first down on fourth-and-eight, gave the impression that they knew they were getting off the bus. They discovered the hard way that they have a long way to go before they can compete with the best.

Jones appeared pale and scared after being beaten up and sacked five times. No. 8 was behind the eight-ball the whole game, but if Richie James hadn’t missed a 77-yard touchdown throw in the fourth quarter, his final stat line would have looked better.

If Eli Manning had been out there behind center instead of seated in a suite and subjected to jeers from his fan base when his image appeared on the video screen, it would never have mattered. The Giants must now move past this embarrassing incident, address other roster gaps, and, of course, make a commitment to a long-term partnership with Manning’s replacement.

To be honest, this contract discussion may not be as simple as most people would think. When asked twice in his post-game press conference if he wanted to play quarterback for the Giants the following season, Jones gave a variety of answers other than yes.