Daniel Jones has changed the tenor of the conversation.

After the Giants notably did not pick up his fifth-year option, Jones entered the season needing to prove to the Giants and their new regime that he’s their long-term quarterback and deserving of a new contract. Through the first few weeks, as was written in this newsletter, Jones remained a ways away from passing that evaluation despite the team’s on-field success.

The past two weeks have painted a different picture, however. As he’s taken on greater responsibility and elevated his play from game manager to game-winner in victories over the Ravens and the Jaguars, Jones, likewise, has increased his leverage in that critical decision. Previously, he needed to state his case to the Giants that he’s worth bringing back. At the moment, he’s on his way to reversing that dynamic, setting up a potential situation where the Giants could have to stave off other suitors and state their case to him.

Jones was named NFC offensive player of the week Wednesday morning after leading the Giants’ 23-17 win over the Jaguars. He completed 19 of 30 passes for 202 yards and a touchdown, tossing a 32-yard score to Darius Slayton that evoked his “Danny Dimes” moniker. More importantly, he rushed for a career-high 107 yards and the decisive go-ahead touchdown as the Jaguars proved unable to contain the threat he poses on the ground. The game also elicited Jones’ first real display of emotion on the field, when he barked at Marcus Johnson to “catch the ball” after a drop.