New York Giants News & Rumors

Giants TE Darren Waller Addresses Potential Retirement

March 7th, 2024 at 1:35pm CST by Adam La Rose

A report from earlier this month stated Darren Waller was committed to playing in 2024. The Giants tight end has not made a firm decision one way or the other, however. He confirmed that when speaking publicly about his situation.

Waller had his debut Giants campaign cut short due to the latest occurrence of his hamstring issues. He is still under contract for three years, although none of his salary is guaranteed over that span. Even if he were to hang up his cleats, though, the 31-year-old’s career would prove to have been a lucrative one as he has more than $42MM in total earnings.

“I’m undecided at the moment,” Waller told Dan Duggan of The Athletic (subscription required). “It’s really the idea of signing up for another journey. It’s tough, it’s long, it requires a lot. And if you’re not fully bought into every single thing of the process, it’s going to be tough. I feel like at the end of the day, you’re doing guys a disservice if you’re not all the way in.”

The former sixth-rounder topped 1,100 yards in consecutive seasons with the Raiders, demonstrating his ability as one of the league’s most dynamic tight ends when healthy. Waller has been limited to 32 games in three years since then, however, something which factored heavily into his trade from Vegas to New York. In 12 games with the Giants, he posted 552 yards and one touchdown on 52 catches.

Waller noted he has no firm timeline on his decision, adding the Giants have not imposed one. Still, the team would no doubt prefer to have clarity with free agency and the draft on the horizon. Replacing the Georgia Tech product would become a key priority for a team already in need of pass-catching additions if necessary. Health and finances are factors going into Waller’s thought process, but he noted his ultimate decision will come down to “deeper” reasons.

“I’m not just coming back to collect an extra check, because that’s not what I’m trying to do or who I’m trying to be,” he added. “At this point in my life, I’m blessed to be able to be more than OK financially. Plus, if the only reason I’m doing something is because of an amount of money, I know that’s not a decision I need to be making.”

Mutual Interest Between Eagles, Saquon Barkley?

March 7th, 2024 at 10:57am CST by Adam La Rose

The long list of running backs on track for free agency next week is headlined by Saquon Barkley. A departure from the Giants is a distinct possibility, but he may still find himself playing in the NFC East in 2024.

The Eagles have an interest in signing the two-time Pro Bowler, per Howard Eskin of 94 WIP. That interest is reciprocated by Barkley himself, Ryan Dunleavy of the New York Post adds. Philadelphia could be in the market for a new lead running back in free agency if D’Andre Swift departs.

The latter was acquired via trade from the Lions during last year’s draft, and he enjoyed a career year while leading the Eagles’ RB depth chart. Swift topped 1,000 rushing yards for the first time and received a Pro Bowl invite. Given his age (25), he could be in store for a better market than most other, older backs who will be available once the new league year begins. Barkley has far more in the way of pedigree given his past production, though, and he could manage to secure more guaranteed money than most (or any) other backs in 2024.

The Eagles are positioned to be spenders at a few positions in free agency, as they currently have just under $42MM in cap space. Running backs have seen their collective value stagnate over time, and signs continue to point in that direction given the crop of veteran players who will be on the market simultaneously. Still, Fox Sports’ Ralph Vacchiano reports the Eagles are believed to be willing to “take a swing” at Barkley, a move which would represent a major move on offense.

Philadelphia’s late-season collapse was due in large part to defensive deficiencies, but inconsistency on the other side of the ball was often related to struggles in the ground game. Swift is joined by Boston Scott and Rashaad Penny as pending free agents, so the RB room could look much different for the Eagles in short order. Barkley would take on primary rushing responsibilities with a deal and also serve the role of complementary pass-catcher in an offense which could stand to add more targets at the running back spot.

News of Barkley-Eagles interest is interesting on a number of levels, not the least of which being the potential of the 27-year-old making an intra-divisional move. However, it is also notable given the recent report which tapped the Texans as Barkley’s preferred destination. In any case, his market will be worth watching closely when free agency begins, as will the Eagles’ willingness to make a splashy addition at the position.

Giants Have Not Made Saquon Barkley Offer In Offseason

March 6th, 2024 at 11:09pm CST by Sam Robinson

Saquon Barkley-Giants extension talks began in November 2022 and memorably ran up to the July 2023 deadline for franchise-tagged players to sign long-term deals. Not much activity has transpired this offseason.

Although the Giants met with Barkley at the Combine and are believed to be planning to make an offer to retain their Pro Bowl running back, the New York Post’s Ryan Dunleavy reports the team has not submitted one this offseason. The Giants will lose their exclusive negotiating rights with Barkley at 11am CT on Monday, when the legal tampering period begins.

This year’s legal tampering period will be Barkley’s first chance to negotiate with a team other than the Giants since they drafted him second overall in 2018. The Giants passed on franchise-tagging Barkley a second time, at a rate just more than $12MM, and may be ready to bid farewell to the six-year starter. While this is a crowded free agent running back class, Barkley is expected to draw the most attention. Barkley reaching the tampering period unsigned obviously increases the chances he will play elsewhere in 2024.

The Giants could not resume Barkley negotiations until after the regular season ended, but they have now had nearly two months to make another offer. Not doing so runs in stark contrast to last year, when they frantically attempted to retain both Barkley and Daniel Jones. The team ended up re-signing Jones and tagging Barkley minutes before last March’s tag application deadline. It is worth wondering the alternate reality of what would have played out if the team had reversed those moves, as Jones may be going into his last season as Giant — as persistent rumors about the team drafting a QB emerge.

No signs exist the Giants will ramp up talks at the 11th hour, Dunleavy adds, with the team potentially ready to let Barkley see what kind of offers come on the open market. GM Joe Schoen said a second tag was a consideration, but a rumor also emerged last month that the team was leery of Barkley’s age (27) and making another notable commitment. That said, the Giants are believed to have offered Barkley a deal including $22MM guaranteed last summer. The team reducing the offer’s AAV below $12MM, however, helped influence the former Offensive Rookie of the Year to pass. The Giants passed on trade interest at the deadline, despite a poor start. That sets the stage for this free agency foray.

Many backs will be available for the Giants in free agency. Josh Jacobs, Tony Pollard, Austin Ekeler, Derrick Henry, D’Andre Swift and Gus Edwards are ticketed for free agency in one of the best RB classes in the free agency era. Devin Singletary, who played in Brian Daboll’s offense for three seasons in Buffalo, also could appeal to the Giants at a lower cost. With Barkley likely the most expensive player in this crowded group, the Giants may be ready to add one of the other vets at a reduced rate.

It is possible the Giants will lose both Barkley and Xavier McKinney next week. The team did not use the transition tag on McKinney. Kyle Dugger‘s transition tag may have played a role. With Dugger tagged, McKinney naturally becomes a more attractive piece in free agency. The Giants would not have been entitled to any compensation if McKinney signed an offer sheet they did not match. Had the Giants transition-tagged McKinney, they also would not have been entitled to a 2025 compensatory pick if they did not match an offer sheet, as CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones points out. Transition-tagged players no longer count toward the compensatory formula.

FA Notes: Chiefs, Jones, Evans, Titans, Pats, Giants, Panthers, Falcons, Jags, Bucs, Rams

March 6th, 2024 at 1:36pm CST by Sam Robinson

Buzz about the Chiefs re-signing Chris Jones surfaced last week, and while that trail has gone a bit cold, some optimism still exists the defending champions can keep their top defender off the market. Many around the league do not expect Jones to leave Kansas City, per ESPN.com’s Jeremy Fowler, but they do not anticipate a discount coming to pass. Jones stuck to his guns last year during a holdout that cost him more than $3MM between fines and a missed game check; that would make it rather shocking if he agreed to a team-friendly deal now.

The Chiefs reaching the $27-$28MM-per-year range should help move this close to the finish line, Fowler adds. That said, Jones could probably — given the cap spike — make a run at Aaron Donald‘s $31.7MM AAV standard and the position’s guarantee record (Quinnen Williams‘ $66MM) if he reaches free agency. The Chiefs were not willing to go near the Donald AAV neighborhood during talks last year, and it will surely take a monster offer to keep Jones from testing free agency now.

With the legal tampering period less than a week away, here is the latest free agency news:

The Chiefs were also among the teams interested in Mike Evans, according to The Athletic’s Dianna Russini, who details what would have been a big market for the veteran wide receiver. Evans opted to re-sign with the Bucs on a frontloaded deal that included $29MM fully guaranteed. The Falcons, Giants, Jaguars, Panthers, Patriots, Rams and Titans were preparing to see what it could take to lure Evans out of Tampa. High-profile FAs regularly use the Combine to gauge markets before the legal tampering period, and Evans evidently determined this Bucs deal compared favorably to what he could have collected on the market. But with Tee Higgins and Michael Pittman Jr. franchise-tagged, Evans would have been the top WR available. That distinction may now fall to Calvin Ridley.
Speaking of the Bucs, they are not ruling out a reunion with Shaquil Barrett at a reduced rate, Jenna Laine of ESPN.com notes. Tampa Bay cut Barrett last week, removing an $18MM-per-year contract from their payroll. Barrett stands to generate interest as a street free agent, but the former Super Bowl standout and NFL single-season sack leader is going into an age-32 season and coming off a 4.5-sack showing in 2023.
Darnell Mooney may be one of the players who could benefit from Evans, Pittman and Higgins being off the market. Despite the Bears target failing to eclipse 500 receiving yards in each of the past two years, he posted a 1,000-yard season in 2021 and has been in a low-volume passing offense. Teams figure to check in on the deep threat, and ESPN.com’s Jeremy Fowler suggests the Chiefs and Titans as potential players. The Chiefs’ receiver woes were well documented last season, and they recently cut Marquez Valdes-Scantling. The Titans beat out the Chiefs for DeAndre Hopkins last year, but he is going into an age-32 season and signed for just one more year. Treylon Burks has also not shown much consistency yet.
Barring 11th-hour deals, this year’s safety market will feature Xavier McKinney and Kamren Curl. These two could do quite well without Antoine Winfield Jr. and Kyle Dugger in the mix, with ProFootballNetwork.com’s Adam Caplan noting Curl’s market could come in around $14MM per year. A line of demarcation may emerge after these NFC East starters, with Sportskeeda’s Tony Pauline adding a lucrative second wave should not be expected to transpire at this position. This is how the 2023 market played out, with a gulf forming between Jessie Bates and the field. Though, multiple others (Juan Thornhill, Vonn Bell, Donovan Wilson) collected eight-figure guarantees.
The Rams have talked terms with Kevin Dotson‘s camp, per GM Les Snead. They expect both he and center Coleman Shelton to hit the market. Dotson delivered a big contract year and should be expected to become one of the top earners on a crowded guard market. The Rams want Shelton back as well.

Giants Will Not Use Transition Tag On S Xavier McKinney

March 5th, 2024 at 2:49pm CST by Sam Robinson

The safety market lost two key pieces today, with the Buccaneers franchise-tagging Antoine Winfield Jr. and the Patriots transition-tagging Kyle Dugger. The Giants will pass on cuffing their high-priority DB.

Rumored to be a transition tag candidate, Xavier McKinney is now close to reaching free agency. The Giants will not place the lesser-used tag on McKinney, per NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo. This points to the Giants needing to compete with other teams on the open market next week.

It would have cost the Giants $13.8MM to use the transition tag on McKinney. As of now, the team holds just more than $38MM in cap space. The Giants are not giving up hope of reaching an agreement with the safety starter, per the New York Post’s Paul Schwartz. But time is running out.

This decision opens the door to the Giants losing both McKinney and Barkley in free agency. Barkley is viewed as the top running back available, and although that status does not mean nearly as much as it once did, several teams will undoubtedly be in on the two-time Pro Bowler. McKinney will be in line to sign for more money, especially with Winfield off the market and the Patriots having the chance to match any Dugger offer sheet.

As of late last week, McKinney talks were not believed to have started. The sides had tabled negotiations to 2024, but we are now less than a week from the legal tampering period. Beginning 11am CT on March 11, unsigned players can begin talking to other teams and reaching agreements. Since the tampering period’s debut, most top free agents agree to terms in that 48-hour window. Planning to pass on using tags this year, the Giants are in crunch time with their top free agents.

McKinney talks may be a bit complicated. The former second-round pick, despite missing chunks of two seasons due to injury, said in January he views himself as the NFL’s most complete safety. He does not have a Pro Bowl on his resume. It would seem unlikely, then, the Alabama product agrees to terms with the Giants before seeing what the market looks like.

McKinney set a new career high in tackles last season with 116, also reaching a personal best in pass deflections (11) and recording his second-best completion percentage allowed when in coverage (63.1%). McKinney, 25, missed 10 games as a rookie and then eight in 2022. But he will certainly be one of the top defensive free agents available.

The Giants have seen a few safeties leave in recent years. After the Landon Collins, Jabrill Peppers and Logan Ryan exits (the latter being cut), the team lost Julian Love despite making multiple offers. The Giants factored in an eventual McKinney payment into their Love calculus, but it is entirely possible both will be gone soon.

Giants Looking Into Trading Up For QB

March 5th, 2024 at 11:59am CST by Sam Robinson

Daniel Jones‘ contract all but ensures he will be on the 2024 Giants. Beyond that, the former Eli Manning successor’s New York future is uncertain. Rumblings continue to surface about the Giants looking into quarterbacks in this draft class.

The team is looking into what it will take to move up for a quarterback next month, SI.com’s Albert Breer notes. GM Joe Schoen has indicated on several occasions the team will look at QBs this offseason, pointing out at least one will be added. The big question would be how the Giants add that passer and the to-be-determined signal-caller’s role on the team.

Should the Giants merely add a veteran backup who would provide insurance and serve as an offseason arm while Jones recovers from an ACL tear, it is not exactly a key storyline. That passer would slide into the background, presumably between Jones and Tommy DeVito, once the incumbent starter recovered. Schoen has said the team expects Jones to be back by training camp, and the third-year GM has proclaimed the veteran will be the team’s starter once he recovers.

The more intriguing storyline would certainly be a Giants first-round QB investment. Holding the No. 6 overall pick, the Giants would not be expected to land one of this draft class’ top three quarterbacks without trading up. Caleb Williams has been a mortal lock to go first overall for months, while Drake Maye loomed the next-best option for most of that stretch. Heisman winner Jayden Daniels, however, has gained considerable ground — to the point many expect the Commanders to take the LSU product at No. 2. Maye would then be positioned to go third to the Patriots — unless they trade back.

It would seem any Giants climb would need to be tied to that Patriots pick, as the Commanders would be highly unlikely to deal with their division rivals in a trade of this magnitude. The Pats are no strangers to first-round trade-down moves, but Bill Belichick not running the show may matter here. De facto Pats GM Eliot Wolf comes from an organization that has prioritized QB investments, with the Packers taking Aaron Rodgers during the second-generation personnel man’s early years in the front office. Passing on a chance to grab a passer without trading up would be a risk for a Patriots team that has seen Mac Jones take significant steps back over the past two seasons.

The Pats are expected to address their QB need in the draft, though free agency may be part of the plan as well. The team has been linked to Baker Mayfield, as Wolf and a few others on staff have ties to the Buccaneers QB. Of course, the Bucs still have until March 11 to prevent him from talking to other teams. And it would be costly for the Pats to sign Mayfield. Even though Wolf’s team leads the NFL in cap space, it would surprise if much of it was devoted to a veteran QB in free agency.

If New England were to view Maye (or Daniels) as too risky of an investment, then the prospect of a big haul from the Giants or another team would come into play. Given the demand that may exist here, it would surprise if the Patriots and Commanders did not at least consider the prospect of moving down — even at the risk of having no long-term QB plan.

Jones did not impress before his ACL tear last season, though the Giants again fielded a low-level skill-position group and encountered several offensive line injuries. But the Giants can get out of Jones’ contract fairly easily in 2025. With Schoen not being in place when the Giants drafted Jones, it is logical he will explore avenues to a higher-upside prospect.

Giants Will Not Tag Saquon Barkley

March 5th, 2024 at 9:58am CST by Adam La Rose

Giants general manager Joe Schoen has left the door open to a second Saquon Barkley franchise tag being used this offseason. That will not be the case, however; New York will elect not to tag Barkley, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

This represents the expected outcome, as a free agent spell has long been on the horizon for Barkley. The former No. 2 pick has played out his rookie contract (including the fifth-year option) as well as a 2023 franchise tag during his six years in New York. For the first time, though, he will be able to test the market. A deal keeping him with the Giants after doing so remains in the cards, CBS Sports’ Josina Anderson confirms.

A second Barkley tag would have checked in at a cost of $12.1MM. Using it would have prevented the franchise (or, perhaps more likely, transition) tag being applied to safety Xavier McKinney. Teams are free to use one tag in any given offseason, but not both. McKinney receiving the transition tag remains a “very strong possibility,” according to Ryan Dunleavy of the New York Post.

That route has been floated as a potential path for New York to keep the latter, who profiles as a higher priority given his age and the lack of high-end safeties set to reach free agency. Paying greater attention to McKinney will allow New York to avoid seeing a safety starter depart in free agency as Julian Love did in 2023. Talks on a long-term McKinney agreement are ongoing.

Barkley is on track to headline the list of available running backs, one which is notably long. Fellow 2023 tag recipients Josh Jacobs and Tony Pollard are also likely to reach the market, as are Derrick Henry, Austin Ekeler, D’Andre Swift and J.K. Dobbins. Of those, ESPN’s Dan Graziano writes Barkley is the likeliest to reach the $10MM-per-year mark on a new contract. Doing so will be difficult, though, given the state of the RB market in general and the bulk of available options this offseason in particular. Barkley, like Jacobs and Pollard, did not help his case for a lucrative pact during the 2023 season.

The Giants came close to an agreement with Barkley last offseason, with guaranteed money coming up as the main sticking point. That will likely be the case again as he enters his age-27 season. New York’s offense will (at least temporarily) include a major hole at the RB spot if Barkley departs, but that is a risk the team is formally prepared to run.

Giants To Release OL Mark Glowinski

March 2nd, 2024 at 10:04am CST by Ben Levine

Mark Glowinski‘s stint with the Giants has come to an end after two years. The team is releasing the veteran guard, according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler.

Glowinski signed a three-year, $20MM deal with the Giants back in 2022. This move will save the organization $5.7MM against the cap, per Fowler.

The former fourth-round pick served mostly as a backup during his time with the Seahawks, but he emerged as a starter while in Indianapolis. Glowinski started 55 of his 59 appearances for the Colts, with Pro Football Focus grading him as a top-25 guard in three of his four seasons with the team.

The cash-strapped Giants made him one of their big-name signings during the 2022 offseason, and the veteran ended up starting all 16 of his appearances during his first season in New York. Things didn’t go nearly as well during his second season.

Glowinski was benched following a poor Week 1 showing, with Marcus McKethan taking over as the starting right guard. Glowinski was only used as an injury fill-in for the rest of the season, starting six of his 13 appearances. The 31-year-old lineman was limited to only 520 offensive snaps, his lowest total since 2017.

The veteran guard will likely have to settle for a one-year deal during this visit to free agency, but Pro Football Focus shows that the lineman hasn’t completely fallen off. The site graded him 25th among 79 qualifying guards this past season, including a top-15 grade for his run-blocking ability.

TE Darren Waller Contemplating Retirement

March 2nd, 2024 at 8:50am CST by Adam La Rose

TODAY, 8:50am: Not so fast. Waller is still considering retirement and is “undecided” on his NFL future, per Schwartz and Dunleavy. The New York Post duo add that the Giants were “convinced” that Waller was returning following a conversation with his agent, Drew Rosenhaus. Now, they’re facing the prospect of having to find a new tight end for next season.

FRIDAY, 12:45pm: Things did not go according to plan for the Giants or Darren Waller in 2023. After the veteran tight end gave thought to hanging up his cleats, though, he will remain in New York for at least one more season.

Waller was acquired via trade from the Raiders last March. Vegas had grown frustrated with his injury troubles during his time with the team, and the move provided an opportunity to start over. However, hamstring issues continued to lead to missed time, and the 31-year-old was limited to 12 games with the Giants.

Paul Schwartz and Ryan Dunleavy of the New York Post report Waller contemplated retirement following another frustrating campaign. The former Pro Bowler managed 52 catches for 552 yards and one touchdown in his debut New York season, figures which fell well short of his best years with the Raiders. Poor play along the offensive line quarterback injuries hampered the team as well, of course, but few would argue with Waller being a cut candidate given his contract status and injury history.

In spite of that, the Post reports notes that the Giants will retain him for 2024. Waller has three more years on his deal, but none of his base salary is guaranteed in that span. He is due to carry cap hits ranging from $14MM to $17.5MM between now and 2026, and in the next two seasons a release would yield notable cap savings. The same would also be true if the Giants moved on via a Post-June 1 designation this year, but they will instead keep Waller in the fold for another season.

Dunleavy adds that New York has been connected to a free agent move at the tight end spot this offseason. A veteran backup could complement Waller’s skillset while providing insurance against further missed time. If no agreement is worked out on that front, the Giants also have 2022 fourth-rounder Daniel Bellinger in place on his rookie contract.

Adding at the skill positions will be a major priority for New York this offseason, regardless of if a Daniel Jones successor is drafted or Saquon Barkley is retained. A bounce-back season from Waller would go a long way in leading the team to an improved showing on offense, and he will have the opportunity to deliver one in 2024.

Giants, Saquon Barkley Resume Contract Talks

March 1st, 2024 at 9:43am CST by Adam La Rose

For the time being, Saquon Barkley remains on track for free agency. He would be be one of several veterans available on the open market, but a Giants agreement is still a possibility.

Player and team resumed contract talks earlier this week during the Combine, Josina Anderson of CBS Sports reports. That falls in line with the previously-established plan for both sides in particular and common practice in general around the NFL when it comes to negotiations with pending free agents. Anderson adds that the meeting is believed to have gone well.

Upon the opening of the franchise tag window, the expectation was New York would steer clear of placing the one-year tender on Barkley for a second straight season. When speaking on the subject at the Combine, however, Giants general manager Joe Schoen confirmed that all options – including a second tag – were still on the table. As a result, Barkley may not join a slew of other veteran backs (a list which also features 2023 tag recipients Josh Jacobs and Tony Pollard) in reaching the open market later this month.

The Giants have until March 5 to apply a second tag, which would cost $12.1MM. With the 2024 salary cap checking in at a higher figure than teams anticipated, absorbing an eight-figure commitment at the RB position would be less cumbersome that New York first thought. The team has a number of other offseason matters to sort out, though, including an agreement with safety Xavier McKinney. A transition tag has been floated as a possibility in the latter’s case, but using it would prevent the Giants from being able to tag Barkley.

The Texans have emerged as a team to watch on the running back market this offseason, and Barkley reportedly has his eyes on a deal sending him to Houston. Such a move will not be possible if a Giants agreement is reached or the franchise tag winds up being used once again, though. New York’s efforts to retain the two-time Pro Bowler will remain a key storyline in the coming days, and the tag would create an extended window to continue negotiating well into the summer. That wound up being the case last offseason with no accord being struck; it will be interesting to see if 2024 produces a different outcome.

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