Stephen A. Smith defends ESPN host after Giants official called her out for brutal Daniel Jones criticism

Stephen A. Smith has come to the defense of his ESPN colleague Elle Duncan after she was blasted for her criticism of Daniel Jones - including by the Giants' head of PR.

Jones - who was ultimately released by the Giants on Friday - read a prepared statement the day prior after being benched, in which he thanked the organization and took responsibility for his role in the team's struggles during his time in New York.

Duncan reacted to that statement by mocking Jones on SportsCenter, calling his goodbye message with seven games remaining in the season 'inexplicable' and pretending like her voice was breaking at one point.

That earned a strong rebuke from Giants' vice president of communications Pat Hanlon, who called Duncan's comments 'mind boggling' on X.

'Given what has happened at that company over past few years, tone deaf,' he continued, appearing to reference ESPN's layoffs in recent years.

Smith then claimed on Friday's edition of 'First Take' that the Giants complained to ESPN executives about Duncan's remarks - and told Big Blue to 'shut the hell up.'

'Y'all are awful as an organization. You won a Super Bowl in 2007. You won a Super Bowl in 2011. Outside of that since 2011, the Giants have made the playoffs twice. They've won one playoff game.' 

'And you got the nerve to sit up there and call the offices to complain to executives about somebody that went on national television to do their job. Why don't you do your damn job as an organization?!,' he continued, before calling the Giants 'sorry' and 'pathetic.'

Duncan, who did her own mocking version of Jones' speech in which she said he'd be 'reviving [his]career as Brock Purdy's backup,' stood by her comments on Friday.

'You want to call me disrespectful to Daniel Jones? Am I more disrespectful than the Giants making him a scout team safety?,' she asked on 'First Take.'

'Am I more disrespectful than all of those same fans that are in my mentions right now who booed him mercilessly for the last six seasons?... I stand by everything that I said.'

During her SportsCenter segment 'Taking the Elle,' Duncan took aim at Jones' significant earnings from the Giants amid his demotion to fourth-string quarterback this week.   

'You guys think he had this saved in his notes since like 2020? In all seriousness, DJ, I could have saved you like 90 seconds,' she said. 

'A rewrite: 'I'm sorry you paid me $108 million for one playoff win. And I look forward to reviving my career as Brock Purdy's backup. The end.''

Duncan also made fun of Jones for writing down his speech. 

'Didn't you go to Duke?' she asked.

Jones asked for and was granted his release on Friday, Giants owner John Mara said, adding that the parties 'mutually agreed' on the decision.

A day prior, he said his goodbyes to the Giants and their fans in a prepared statement. 

'The opportunity to play for the New York Giants was truly a dream come true,' he said after practice. 'I'm extremely grateful to the Mara and Tisch families for the chance to play here. The Giants are truly a first-class organization and I have nothing but genuine respect and appreciation for the people who have built it and who help carry on that tradition. I met so many special people and created relationships that will truly last a lifetime. Thank you to all my teammates, coaches, and staff that have done so much for me the past six years.'

'There have been some great times, but of course, we all wish there had been more of those. I take full responsibility for my part in not bringing more wins. No one wanted to win more games worse than me and I gave everything I had on the field and in my preparation. Of course this season has been disappointing for all, and of course I wish I could've done more. I'm 100% accountable for my part. I did not play well enough, consistently enough, to help the team get the results. '

'The reality of the NFL is it's hard to win games and requires consistent performance from everyone involved. We didn't do that well enough so the idea to change something happens, and I understand. I love the game, I love being part of a team, and I'm excited for the next opportunity. I know there's a lot of good football in front of me, and I'm excited about that. 

'To all the fans, I have a deep respect and appreciation for your passion and love for the Giants. The fans are a huge part of what makes playing for the Giants so special.'

Jones was selected by New York with the No. 6 pick of the 2019 NFL Draft.

He was awarded with a four-year, $160million deal after a strong 2022 season in which he led the Giants to a playoff win.

Jones would go on to throw for just 10 touchdowns in his 16 games since that win over the Vikings.