Giants could explore contract extensions for Daniel Jones, Saquon Barkley during bye week

General manager Joe Schoen has said the New York Giants could explore contract extensions for quarterback Daniel Jones and running back Saquon Barkley during their bye week. 

"We’ll have those meetings this week," Schoen explained after the NFL trade deadline came and went Tuesday without the Giants making a significant move, per Alex Smith of SNY. "We had to get through the trade deadline today and those conversations, and we’ll kind of circle up with some strategy meetings as we move forward on contract extensions and if we may or may not [extend] anybody. 

"If I did, this would be the week I would want to entertain it, during the bye week, and then I probably wouldn’t do anything after that. I don’t want anything to be a distraction to the players or the organization, so if we do something it would probably be before Monday with any of our guys." 

Both Jones and Barkley are in the final seasons of their rookie contracts featuring for a New York team that entered its break at 6-2. Schoen and the Giants declined the fifth-year option attached to Jones' deal this past spring. 

"There’s nine games left, so it’s an ongoing evaluation for everybody on the roster, not just Saquon and Daniel being (unrestricted free agents)," Schoen continued. "Obviously those are two important players to where we are right now, but yeah it’s a constant evaluation and we still have nine games left." 

According to The Football Database, Barkley is second in the entire NFL with 968 total yards from scrimmage and 779 rushing yards on the season. ESPN stats show Jones is 17th among eligible quarterbacks with an 88.0 passer rating, 11th with a 57.9 total QBR and 19th with a 65.0% completion percentage. However, the Giants rank 30th in the league with a passing attack that is averaging just 159.1 yards through the air per game. 

As noted by Matt Citak of the Giants' website, Jones is third among quarterbacks with 363 rushing yards. He's also contributed three rushing touchdowns. 

"I think Daniel’s done a good job," Schoen said of his QB1. "I always look at 'gotta have it moments,' third downs, fourth quarters when you’ve got to have it and I think he’s answered the bell in a lot of those situations and he’s the same guy that he was the day he got here … he’s a gym rat, he’s always around, and I think he’s done a good job of leading the team this year." 

Schoen added he's "pleased with where Saquon is" in Barkley's first season playing under head coach Brian Daboll. 

The Giants will host the Houston Texans (1-5-1) on Nov. 13.