Giants' Daniel Jones addresses potential locker room issues amid absences

New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones sounds unconcerned about potential locker-room issues linked with unhappiness felt by defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence and running back Saquon Barkley this spring. 

"I think we've got great guys in the locker room, mature guys who understand that side of playing in the NFL, understand the business side of it," Jones told reporters on Monday, per Jordan Raanan of ESPN. "I don't think that is a concern within our team. Like I said, those two guys are excellent teammates, stand-up guys who we have a tremendous amount of respect for. 

"In terms of dividing the locker room or making anyone feel differently, I think that is out of the question. I think everyone has a tremendous amount of respect and understands that piece of it. We're all mature and understand that."

Neither Lawrence nor Barkley attended the start of the team's voluntary offseason program on Monday. Lawrence is in the final year of his rookie contract and reportedly wants financial guarantees beyond 2023, while Barkley declined to sign the franchise tag used to retain his services before Monday. 

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

However, multiple knowledgeable individuals have said the Giants are comfortable letting Barkley stay on tag worth roughly $10.1M for the upcoming season. 

NFL insider Michael Lombardi and Raanan have both warned about "negative repercussions throughout the locker room" regarding the statuses of Lawrence and Barkley, particularly after New York signed Jones to a four-year contract worth up to $160M with an additional $35M in incentives included last month. 

Head coach Brian Daboll noted he isn't too worried because it's only April 17, while safety Xavier McKinney echoed Jones' take. 

"They are dealing with their own things," McKinney said of Lawrence and Barkley. "So that is for them to work out. We know what type of guys they are. We know what type of players they are. We all love them. We all kind of know what it is."

For what it's worth, it's believed Barkley could sign the tag before the Giants have an opportunity to select a younger running back in the first round of the NFL Draft on April 27.