A general view of a New York Giants helmet. Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

Giants beat writer refutes claims of locker room issues

By Zac Wassink | Last updated Apr 19, 2023 6:09 PM ET

Long-time New York Giants beat writer Paul Schwartz of the New York Post isn't buying that the team could experience locker-room issues related to quarterback Daniel Jones receiving a big contract in March.

Specifically, Schwartz responded on Wednesday to how NFL Network's Bucky Brooks, NFL insider Michael Lombardi and Jordan Raanan of ESPN warned that the absences of defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence and running back Saquon Barkley in the early days of the team's voluntary offseason program may prove some teammates are upset Jones signed a four-year contract worth up to $160M with an additional $35M in incentives.

Lawrence is in the final year of his rookie deal, while Barkley has thus far declined to sign the franchise tag.

"Lawrence is an affable team-first guy, until proven otherwise, and linking his absence to any sort of resentment toward Jones is quite a stretch," Schwartz said. "Lawrence is eyeing the huge contract extensions signed by fellow defensive tackles Jeffery Simmons and Daron Payne rather than comparing himself to Jones, his 2019 draft classmate and buddy (they were training-camp roommates as rookies)."

NFL reporter Darryl Slater of NJ Advance Media for NJ.com previously wrote that "it seems only a matter of time (this spring or summer) until Lawrence gets his long-term, lucrative contract" from the Giants.

As for Barkley, Schwartz mentioned that the 26-year-old "was in Arizona a few weeks ago when Jones gathered a bunch of teammates together for passing sessions." Schwartz added that Barkley "has long been Jones' staunchest supporter, at times expressing almost blind faith in his quarterback."

Congrats brudda !!! @Daniel_Jones10 ✊ https://t.co/cJJWlAXoR9
— Saquon Barkley (@saquon) March 7, 2023

Barkley simply may have received some unfortunate advice if it's true that he/his camp rejected "a three-year deal in the $13M per season range" before the Giants used the non-exclusive franchise tag to retain his rights for 2023.

The 2018 first-round draft pick now finds himself on track to play on the tag worth roughly $10.1M for the upcoming campaign, and it's thought Barkley could sign the tag before the start of the draft on April 27.

Schwartz pointed out that Lawrence and Barkley are skipping what "essentially are weight-lifting sessions" and mid-April meetings. Jones appears to understand why those business decisions were made, and Schwartz noted there's no "proof" any Giants player is mad the signal-caller got paid after he guided the club to a playoff berth and a road postseason victory.

Zac Wassink

Zac Wassink is a longtime sports news writer and PFWA member who began his career in 2006 and has had his work featured on Yardbarker, MSN, Yahoo Sports and Bleacher Report. He is also a football and futbol aficionado who is probably yelling about Tottenham Hotspur at the moment and who chanted for Matt Harvey to start the ninth inning of Game 5 of the 2015 World Series at Citi Field. You can find him on X at @ZacWassink

More must-reads: