Giants general manager Joe Schoen faces the tall task of keeping quarterback Daniel Jones and running back Saquon Barkley in the fold for at least the 2023 season. The team’s priorities in terms of signing long-term deals has shifted recently, and the former is looking to use his leverage to a significant extent. 
Jones has changed agents, as first reported by ESPN’s Jordan Raanan (on Twitter). The 25-year-old was represented by CAA, but has signed with Athletes First; such a change usually requires a five-day waiting period, but CAA has reportedly waived that. The move marks one of several agent changes seen in recent weeks amongst pending free agents, but it could signal a desire on Jones’ part to secure a larger deal than many were expecting.
Indeed, Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk reports that Jones is seeking more than what the Giants have offered to date. Specifically, he notes that Jones’ ask could be for a deal averaging “as much as $45MM per season.” That would represent a steep increase in price compared to the $35MM-per-year region a new contract has been expected to land in. It would also, of course, mark a much larger figure than what the non-exclusive franchise tag ($32.4MM) would cost for 2023.
Five signal-callers currently average $45MM or more on their current contracts, including First Athlete client Deshaun Watson. His historic, fully-guaranteed deal has widely been seen as an outlier compared to other QB mega-deals, though, and was signed under far different circumstances to the ones Jones and the Giants are currently in. The Duke alum had by the best year of his career in 2022, but his previous struggles made it an easy decision for the team to decline his fifth-year option last offseason.
Doing so now leaves them in the position of a multi-year deal being the best option with respect to keeping Barkley on the books as well. The franchise tag for running backs is a fraction of the cost for quarterbacks, and would save the Giants significant cap space by keeping Barkley around in 2023 via that route. That could postpone contract talks with him (which have suggested the 26-year-old could ink a deal worth roughly $14MM per year) until next offseason, where clarity may have emerged for the Giants on the performance and injury front.
While Florio’s update is certainly noteworthy, one from Paul Schwartz of the New York Post falls in line with previous reporting on the Jones situation. He notes that the “ballpark” contract the team is eyeing is five years and $190MM, which equates to an AAV of $38MM. Spreading out the cap hit on such a pact would give the Giants valuable flexibility, and confirm their stated goal of moving forward with him as their franchise QB. Negotiations could take an interesting turn now, however, as free agency draws nearer.
$45mil huh? No friggin way.
Ivana Humpalot: My name is Ivana. Ivana Humpalot.
Austin Powers: Excuse me?
Ivana Humpalot: Ivana Humpalot.
Austin: And I want a toilet made out of solid gold, but it’s just not in the cards now, is it?
lmao. I would assume he’s asking that much because he wants to force the Giants to tag him. He knows he’s not worth anywhere near $45 million. But if he can get the Giants to tag him, he’ll get $32 million and can hit the market again next year. He thinks his stock is on the rise and is willing to bet on himself that he will improve again this coming year. From his perspective, why sign a multi-year deal for $30-35 million a year now when he can get a guaranteed $32 million this year and gamble that he’ll continue developing and possibly score a mega deal next offseason?
Just my guess. If he truly wants that amount, Giants should work out a deal with Barkley and just tag Jones.
The thing is Jones has an insane amount of leverage on the Giants especially if they want Barkley locked up too… If they tag Jones their cap space which is around 45 mil would have been basically whipped clean. Also, if they use the non exclusive at 32 mil Jones can negotiate with other teams. If the Giants wanna prevent that, the exclusive tag is at 45 mil. So Danny Dimes is sitting back saying pay me 45 mil or I’m gonna test the market on the non exlclusive tag and put you guys in a situation where you have limited cap room and a franchise QB negotiating with other teams… yikes
Yeah, but I’m not sure of his marker at $32MM PLUS two first rounders…
It’s not even worth 1 first rounder. The guy had 1 playoff win and we forget he’s not even top 18 Qb’s in the league…
6th best quarterback in total QBR this past year. I’d say he’s in the top 18
A metric used by ESPN and nobody else.
OTOH this is the Giants, whose sideline boss was named NFC Coach of the Year for going 0-5 vs. Dallas and Philly.
Mahomes, Burrow, Hurts, Jackson, Allen, Murray, Herbert, Carr, Cousins, Rodgers, Watson, Dak, Geno Smith, Fields, Goff, Lawrence, Tua, and arguably Purdy, Pickett, and Jimmy G….
Daniel Jones played his best football this season, limited his INT’s (still fumbled 6 times) and helped the Giants to the playoffs. But his best isn’t as good as over half the leagues. In no order, any of the 20 QB’s listed above I believe a team would rather have next season.. Not including a handful of rookies entering the league.
Watson, Jimmy G, Geno, Pickett and Tua are all no’s.
Couldn’t disagree more. Jones threw 15 TDs last year. 15!? Jimmy G threw 16 TDs in 10 games!
For you… Geno Smith was better in every single statistic last year, Jimmy G has been to a SB AND had more TD’s in less games, Watson didn’t play football for 2 years next year he’s going to be fine, and Tua while the injury history is rough he’s clearly more capable than Jones is.
As a Pittsburgh fan, the jury is out on Pickett (I think he stinks tbh) but I’m taking his upside over Jones’ fumbles any day of the week. Pickett played fine weeks 13-18 just the injury question lives with him too.
No one is going to give Jones anywhere near $45m a year. In fact, I’d be shocked if anyone other than NYG would offer him $30m a season.
Agreed @rct. Good chance the new agency threw some thoughts into his head that the previous one didn’t believe to be true. Can’t blame him for trying, but ultimately he may wind up with nothing more than the $32M and hope he continues to perform well. No one is going to surrender the picks to roll the dice on someone who finally had a decent year and is now looking to escalate the salary. Not even sure what we’re looking at in terms of guaranteed dollars.
And then the Giants can always bring in a Jimmy G or David Carr for a meeting just to bring back some sanity while making a point.
Why should he even make 30 mil? Sorry but no one has seen enough to give any of that kind of money to him. If I’m NYG I let him walk. Ain’t no one giving up that million for a near bust that your new coach saved. He should take less money on a 3 year deal and reset his value completely. If he doesn’t QB for them who takes on this guy?
$45 million the Baboll should get $44 million of that. Jones is a HACK. Franchise him for 23 and go out and get a QB. Jones is Baker Mayfield under study. Waiting for the inevitable crash.
Is it time to pivot to another QB option…..no way 15 TD’s is worth $45 Million/yr on a multi year contract……franchise tag him and wait to see how/if he develops into that truly franchise QB that can take the Giants to the playoffs and SB in years to come…..at least then, if they indeed had to pay ridiculous money to sign him longer term, they”d know what they’re getting for the money.
I agree he’s not worth $45m, he hasn’t proven enough consistency over multiple years. But problem with franchise tag I believe it’s $32.4m and $34m for exclusive it eats up 80% of their cap space they have this off-season. They still have to try and extend Lawrence and Thomas, resign Barkley, rework Leo Williams, possibly resign Love, on top of bringing in outside free agents. A multi year deal for Jones is best option to spread out the cap. Maybe they can tag him to hold him down while still working out a deal.
I believe it’s $45M for the exclusive rights franchise tag. The standard franchise tag is the best for the team. If a team is willing to give him his asking price and give you two first rounders for him, more power to them.
Originally, I thought teams could use one franchise tag and one transition tag, but apparently it’s only one or the other. If that were the case, you could make an argument for putting the franchise tag on Barkley and the transition tag on Jones. You’d have the right to match any deal Jones got but not to get any compensation if you don’t match. Locking in Saquon would be a much lower cap hit.
“You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.”
-Wayne Gretzky
-Michael Scott
-Daniel Jones’ new agent
I blame Joe Flacco
Joe at least won a ring as a starter.
I didn’t think anybody was crazier than Rodgers. I was wrong.
Declining that 5th year option was a mistake by the old regime.
Jimmy G 25 a year lock it up. Basically the same player. Jimmy G has proven more.
Trade a 1st for fields and a third Chicago then can draft Bryce young. Let jones go to the open market. He’s going to learn today
Da Bears are not trading Fields for a 1st and a 3rd. They’ll get much more by keeping him and trading down once or twice.
But yea… $45M is a ridiculous price tag on a barely second-tier QB.
The bears are so far behind I think it makes sense to trade fields and draft Bryce young restart that QB clock. They need so much.
Trading Fields and having to start all over with a rookie would set them back even farther. Poles is right in believing Fields deserves another shot with more talent around him.
“Declining that 5th year option was a mistake by the old regime.”
At the time, I understand why they declined it. And even with this past season, Jones still has a long way to go if he wants to be among one of the top QBs in the league. Even as of now, he’s mediocre with some good leadership skills.
It’s the current regime that declined the 5th yr option, not the current one.
Jones can run. Jimmy has a busted wheel. Jimmy is a better QB. Period. He’s got a lot of accuracy where Jones doesn’t. Short to intermediate throws aren’t Jones best. But none of this matters if they don’t get someone to play WR1. So keeping Jones gets you more on the ground and less through the air. Look at the roster. Might actually be better off with a runner.
He’s not worth 22 mil let alone 45….
Packers backup is set to make $19 million. Double plus for a starter seems about right.
? Jordan Love is making 3 million… He makes 20 NEXT year IF they pick up his rookie option….
Recently Packers’ leadership stated that Bryce Love is the starting QB for the 2023 season. Which would make Rodgers the backup.
Be really interesting to see Bryce Love, free agent RB, play QB this season….
Jordan Love, my bad.
Lol he isn’t even worth $30 mil. This is getting ridiculous.
45 mill and I can’t even believe I want to pay him 32 for the tag. What a joke, Simms would be a 55 million a year player. World is gone mad.
Good luck cuz
Hahahahaha
Lmfaooooooooooooo this is the dumbest s*** I’ve ever read. Derek Carr’s gonna be seeking $60+ mil per year then I guess.
Meanwhile, Bengal fans are worried. If Jones gets anywhere close to this, what would Burrow get? And I don’t want to hear that Burrow only cares about winning
$45 million huh? Okay, beat the Jets to Derek Carr with a 4-year deal. Put the tag on Barkley, and make Jones a back-up or trade.
I don’t understand why this isn’t the dialog. To me this is more alarming to me than Field’s “I don’t like the cold” remark.
And Hellooo Jones is not that good, he’s not really much better than Flacoo, more mobile maybe. What are the Giants going to do if they get to the Super Bowl? Sign this guy to a massive extension?
Jones won’t be a backup and can’t be traded because he’s a free agent. Too many needy QB teams out there so someone would sign him as the starter. Maybe not for what he’s asking for but he’d get good money. Wasn’t Tannehill making close to $30m?
I don’t know. All I know is Jones had 6 games last year where he had zero passing touchdowns (or worse). Another 7 games where he only scored one passing touchdown. Never had 3 in one game, or 2 in back-to-back games. Russell Wilson scored more touchdowns.
I wouldn’t want either of them in a pass-happy league. You might not need a QB in the top 6, but you’ve got to have one in the top 12 to get past divisionals.
Jones vs. PHI playoffs 2022:
Yds 135
Comp% 55.6
TD 0
INT 1
Sacks 5
QBR 10.8
$45 million a year? …Later.
Paying QBs these kinds of salaries won’t be a problem once fans at the stadium are forced to cough up a C note for a hot dog and beer.
“I finally had a good year. Gonna need $45 million a year.”
Hahahahaha Dream On Jones
I would let him walk. Let someone else over pay or better yet, let the market determine his value. Good on him to ask for a bunch of money but at some point reality needs to set in.
Cocaine Is A Helluva Drig
I predict that he takes something like a Kirk Cousins deal, shorter, but fully guaranteed. He had a terrible group of receivers, so maybe 3 years, 90 million, all guaranteed? He gets to be a free agent again before 30, or if he keeps playing better will get another big deal.
Honest question, but why is he asking for this much seeing the lack of consistent production that he is bringing to the table? I mean, how far does this go? A QB eventually asking for 60, 70, 80, 90, or 100, million a year?
If he gets that, then Burrow will want about $150 million a year.
I, too, am seeking $45 million per year in the NFL. I feel I have as much of a chance of getting it as Daniel Jones does.
My dad told me a story about one of his friends. The friend was asked would he fight Mike Tyson (at his prime) for $5m? The guy responded ‘I’d kick his a** for $5m. Might not have won, but a good pay day anyways!
I would COMPLETELY fight Tyson for $5M!!! I’d talk to him before the “fight,” ask him to let me hit him once on the arm so I could tell everybody about it, then ask him to make it quick. I’d give him a million bucks for his cooperation.
No way I pay him $45 million per year. That puts him with Mahommes and Allen in the top 5 of QB AAV contracts.
Jones can ask for anything he wants, but reality will soon kick in. Name one team out there that not only has the cap space to offer him what he wants, but that believes in him enough to do so on a 4-5 year deal?
Also, as has been pointed out, if he does get that much, doesn’t leave much for weapons around him or on defense. There was a reason Brady for much of his career took less so the Pats could spend on other players and win. Guess Jones would rather be throwing to players like Sills and James, and have a line consisting of UDFA OL men? But I guess the ride home in his private limo to his stately mansion overlooking the Manhattan skyline will comfort him on route to another 3-14 season and his 12th OC.
What has Jones done to deserve
45 million per year ??
It sounds like he won’t be happy with anything less !! I’d tell him to go get a job in retail and then he’ll know what it’s like to make ends meet.
I am also seeking $45m per year. He and I probably have the similar odds of getting that.
Lol.. man I want that too. Good for you man. Must be nice to be that drunk on a Monday.
I don’t get why the Giants are even talking to Jones – as they made the decision LAST YEAR that he is not their guy. Time to shop around for one of those half-dozen free agent QBs that were someone else’s mistake as a placeholder – as all of them have the same ability as Jones and will come with a much smaller price tag.
Way too many other free agents to pick from
Transition tag looks promising here, again for an over-priced QB. Lower payment to Jones, alternative is to end up with two first round picks. In this case, I’d definitely rather have the picks than Jones.
Not even top NFL QB that is starting QB.. Giants will be better off without him.. not worth $34-45 mill.. more like 2-5 mill price range as he just not great qb
He will be lucky to get $12 million
Pay the man, what he wants.
What do you get when the QB draft class is one of the worst in recent history but you use your #6 on a QB because you insist the one you have is toast?
You get what you f’in deserve
This man is delusional if he thinks he’s worth 45 million a year. Wow
I smell bs. We talked about it with the Entertainah last night. Facebook.com/2giantgoofballs
45 Million dollar deal?
For who, for what??
Daniel Jones looks like Lloyd Christmas so maybe the Giants can pay him in IOUs.
“I fell off the jetway again”
Deshaun Watson has a 5 year 230 million dollar contract?
Not sure why Jones asking for 45 million per season is so foreign to some?
Watson threw for 1100 yards 7 TDs 5 INTs in 2022. Jones 3,200 yards 15 TDs 5 INTs.
NFL contracts aren’t not exactly based on performance now are they? Its far more the timing of your contracts expiration, cap space and the current market! Its always entertaining to see what people perceive based on team, player or whatever bias whos worth what?
That’s a rough take. Watson got that contract based (sort of) on his past performance on the field. Using his numbers from last season after he hadn’t played in almost two years is a very slanted way to make a point. In my opinion, NFL contracts are HEAVILY based on past performance, which often results in a player being overpaid/expendable at the end of the contract. Jones is (presumably) asking for that contract based on his past year’s performance.
As an Eagles’ fan, this is awesome.
Giants would be idiots to give him anything more than 30aav
Let’s hope we’re blowing smoke here, because Jones had a season that we’d be complaining about a lot if it was Eli’s #’s. $45M is a guy who you could depend upon to go out and carry your team, not a guy who has maybe 1 of those games (Vikings-playoffs) to his credit in FOUR years.
Tag Barkley. Sign Carr to a 3 year, incentive-laden deal with bonuses for 4000 yards, playoff appearances, and TD passes. Draft/trade for #1 WR (NOT OBJ) and interior line help on both sides of the ball. Let Jones sweat the summer with no contract and realize he asked for about $15M/year too much.
Carr is a rough Daniel Jones equivalent with more consistency. Definitely rather have Carr for $35 million/season than Jones for $30 million/season, let alone Jones for $45 million/season.
Curiously the most Derek Carr ever earned for a single season was $25 million. Why does his younger and slightly worse equivalent think he is worth $45 million/season?
$45 million as in US dollars? Pesos? Sounds more like Howard Stern’s game of Who wants to be a Turkish millionaire?
he notes that Jones’ ask could be for a deal averaging “as much as $45MM per season.
========================
So Florio posts pure conjecture about what Jones “ask could be”, and profootballrumors raises the stakes to say that $45M is what the QB is seeking.
They are speculating on what a writer is speculating on.
Some hard-hitting journalism there.