Running back Saquon Barkley and quarterback Daniel Jones have given the Giants’ front office a lot to think about in contract years. Jones was drafted in the first round a year after Barkley, but with New York declining his fifth-year option, Jones will join Barkley in free agency this offseason. 
Barkley has been fairly straightforward about his intentions. “I wanted to show them the guy they drafted is still here,” he told reporters, according to Mike Garafolo of NFL Network. “Everyone knows I would love to be a Giant for life, but I really can’t give 100 percent answers.”
Barkley certainly proved what he set out to show. This year, Barkley had his best season since he won AP Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2018, earning his second career Pro Bowl bid. This was a much-needed big year for the 25-year-old from Penn State. He showed he could stay healthy for a full season after missing multiple games in each of the three years following his rookie campaign. In doing so, Barkley also proved his early-career production was no fluke. Just like in 2018, Barkley broke 1,300 rushing yards and reached double-digit touchdown numbers.
When Barkley was asked about what he’s looking for in a new contract, ESPN’s Jordan Raanan quoted him as saying, “I’m not really too concerned with resetting the [running back] market. I’m realistic.”
It’s reasonable for Barkley to take into account his injury history when considering how his new contract will rank all-time for the position. The silver lining of the situation is that, while his contract may not reach all-time heights, he should receive one of the richer contracts this offseason for a running back. Besides Raiders running back Josh Jacobs, Barkley had perhaps the most impressive contract year for any running back. Not only that, but an impressive field of free agent running backs should drive up the price for the top end prospects at the position like Barkley and Jacobs.
Jones, on the other hand, has not been nearly as forward with his intentions, until very recently. When asked to comment on reports that he and the Giants are close to an extension, Jones responded that he doesn’t “think there’s much truth” to the report, according to Ryan Dunleavy of the NY Post. Following a much-discussed non-answer from last night, Dunleavy further reported that Jones also clarified the situation saying that he loves the Giants and would prefer to stay in New York as long as the “business side” works out.
On the business side, Jones similarly gave New York a bit to think about. Like Barkley, Jones had his best season since his rookie campaign in 2019. Jones has always been pretty good at protecting the ball but went to another level this year when he led the NFL in interceptions per attempt.
Jones may not demand top-tier money as a free agent quarterback but leading the team to the playoffs for the first time since 2016 should help boost his value a bit. The biggest free agent quarterbacks this offseason are obviously going to be Lamar Jackson and Tom Brady, but after them, Jones will be competing for value with the likes of Geno Smith, Sam Darnold, Baker Mayfield, Jimmy Garoppolo, and others.
For what it’s worth, Fox Sports’ Ralph Vacchiano claims that there is little doubt that Jones and Barkley will return to New York next season. The only issue comes down to the details of how. Can both Jones and Barkley reach new deals with the team that drafted them? Will either of them get richer offers with other teams? Will the two be unable to reach new deals at all and find themselves playing under the franchise tag in 2023?
Both have made it known that there is a desire to stay with the Giants. Now, it will be up to general manager Joe Schoen and company in the front office to figure out how to keep them in blue.
They should transition tag Jones. Go out and find the best contract he can then sign him back with that contract. Not sure if they can use transition tag on multiple players thought you could but it seems they tweak it year after year. See who wants him and let him get his best offer and if they can match it. Let’s the player know what the league thinks he is worth. Maybe that could let them know his team is not trying to lowball him. Should work for both.
Onle one transition tag is allowed per team. Since the Giants opted out of Jones’ 5th year at roughly $22mil his transition tag would be based on his $8mil plus 2022. That would ignite a grievance as it would set a precedent. Long term, QBs would be wary of dealing with the Giants in the future.
Possibly. He is a mediocre QB tho, who would have been cut if they went on to a 3-5 win season. And he’s make min. elsewhere. Honestly I wouldn’t pay him unless he had another prove it year.
I think most Giants fans would agree, that while we would love to have them both back, it depends on what it costs. Even with their great years, we have too many holes to just bring back the same team and hope for a better outcome. We need spend more wisely on the inner O Line, a recieving core, and more depth at CB. If they are reasonably priced at second tier levels, welcome home !
The Giants are kidding themselves about the impact of these two players, especially Barkley. Their overall roster needs are huge and their upcoming draft position is mediocre, thus tying up big bucks on both these players would be a massive mistake.
You can’t win championships without leadership and players that have overcome adversity provide that. If the Giants are just going to reboot every couple of years they might as well have kept Gettleman.
When you look at Barkley and Jones 2 things come to my mind;
Is Jones comparable to a guy say like Joe Burrow…..I think not, and doubt he will ever look like Burrow so he’s a placeholder at QB
Next, you have Barkley and take a look at Dallas and what they have invested in Elliott who now looks as if he’s a third down up the middle for the first kind of back…..
If you have to choose, you take Jones at this juncture unless you can work out some type of sign and trade with Barkley…..
Leadership is necessary in the locker room, but so is winning and long term winning is what you get paid for.
I don’t think anyone would mistake Phil Simms or Eli Manning for Joe Burrow either but the Giants won championships with those guys. They have a nucleus to build from so why throw it away on the hope that something better can be found in the draft?
Giants have $54M in cap space. Time to see how much team and player want to continue together and for how much $$.
Only $54M in cap room? The Giants won’t be able to afford Dak Prescott even after Dallas’ latest crash-and-burn playoff performance.
Bring me a higher love.
Bring me a higher love (oh oh)
Bring me a higher love
Where’s that higher love I keep thinking of?
-Steve Winwood
Tag Barkley, and go find a new QB. Ideally draft a guy and find a Garappolo type vet to mentor him for a few seasons. Jones isn’t taking you anywhere.
No RB is worth tagging.
You know that how? Jones took us to the playoffs thus year with a nothing offense. Jimmy G aint better then him! He played with way better talent
Saquon and Jones to Vikings for Cousins and Cook.
I neededa good laugh this morning!
They also have to start looking into extending Dexter Lawrence and Andrew Thomas.