Insider reveals Giants won't 'overpay' Daniel Jones
The New York Giants may have a number in mind for how much money they're willing to give quarterback Daniel Jones this offseason.
According to Adam Wells of Bleacher Report, ESPN NFL reporter Jeff Darlington explained during the "Get Up" program that the Giants will use the non-exclusive franchise tag before they "overpay" Jones based on what they believe he's worth for at least next season.
"By overpaying him, I mean, honestly, really I think anything above $40 million (per year)," Darlington said during the segment.
The non-exclusive franchise tag would give Jones the ability to negotiate with a quarterback-needy team such as the New York Jets.
Interestingly, Darlington previously reported that the Giants want to sign both Jones and star running back Saquon Barkley so they can avoid using the franchise tag on either of the pending free agents. However, Darlington has since indicated the Giants will let Jones play on the tag worth around $32.4 million for 2023 if his camp is seriously looking for "as much as $45 million per year" via a new contract.
Jones recently switched agents and went from CAA to Athletes First. In a piece published Tuesday evening, Pat Leonard of the New York Daily News noted that Jones' "agent change delayed the start of the negotiations" and that "as of Monday afternoon, the Giants had not negotiated yet on a contract extension with anyone representing Jones."
Darlington added in his report that he thinks the Giants will "continue to negotiate" with Jones. The deadline for clubs to use their franchise tags is March 7.
Leonard pointed out the franchise tag on Jones would eat roughly $32.4 million in salary cap and cash for a Giants team that earned a playoff spot with a 9-7-1 record but also got blown out by the Eagles in multiple games before Philadelphia completed a trip to Super Bowl LVII. Thus, New York general manager Joe Schoen understandably wants to kick the can on financial hits attached to both Jones and Barkley to when the salary cap will increase past 2023 so the executive can improve the roster before next preseason.
Leonard reported that "it still feels more likely than not that the Giants will get a contract extension done with" Jones. Assuming Leonard is right and the Giants also find a way to "meet at $14 million per year" with Barkley, everyone involved could emerge as winners before free agency opens in March.
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