New theory links Daniel Jones with Panthers

The retirement of quarterback Tom Brady took a potential free agent off the market and, thus, could impact teams such as the New York Giants for years to come. 

NFL reporter Ryan Dunleavy of the New York Post linked Giants quarterback Daniel Jones with the Carolina Panthers Friday. 

"Jones' hometown Panthers — bold in moves for Sam Darnold and Baker Mayfield — jump in, and an old photo of Jones in a Jake Delhomme jersey goes viral," Dunleavy wrote about a possible scenario. 

The Panthers landed Darnold from the New York Jets in April 2021 and acquired Mayfield from the Cleveland Browns last summer. Neither of those transactions provided Carolina with a long-term answer at the sport's most important position, but they show a willingness to get creative regarding a noticeable issue. 

In October 2021, Anthony Rizzuti of Panthers Wire/USA Today noted that Jones is a Charlotte native and grew up a Carolina fan. New Panthers head coach Frank Reich said earlier this week he's striving for "stability at quarterback." Jones is on track to hit free agency after first-year Giants general manager Joe Schoen declined the fifth-year option attached to the signal-caller's rookie contract last spring.

Predicting that Jones ends up with the Panthers makes at least some sense. 

Last week, experts forecasted that Jones could put pen to paper on a deal that could pay him $30 million to $40 million per season across several years. Dunleavy explained on Friday that the 25-year-old's new contract could exceed "$40 million per year and $140 million guaranteed" based on the market. Such figures may scare Schoen off considering he wasn't responsible for the Giants using a first-round pick on Jones during the 2019 NFL Draft. 

Schoen made it clear last month he wants to retain Jones, and the executive can use the franchise tag to hold on to his QB1's rights for the 2023 season.