Giants GM Joe Schoen: 'Good problem' if Daniel Jones enjoys breakout season

As was repeatedly the case throughout the offseason ahead of the NFL Draft, New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll and general manager Joe Schoen continue to offer high praise for quarterback Daniel Jones even though the club officially declined the fifth-year option attached to Jones' rookie contract. 

Schoen insisted last Friday that the Giants still "really like Daniel and the work he’s been putting in," and Daboll remarked on Monday that he's "impressed" with the "work ethic" and "leadership" he's seen from the 24-year-old now on a one-season "prove it" deal.

Schoen recently appeared on "Pro Football Talk PM" and again said that everyone involved is "excited to work with" Jones and also that the decision to decline the fifth-year option was simply "what was best for us right now." 

Schoen also spoke about what could happen if Jones enjoys a breakout 2022 campaign. 

"It’s a good problem to have," Schoen explained, according to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. "You’ve also got the franchise tag if you need it a year from now. That’s a gamble. I’d say that’s an $8 million gamble, or you’re talking to his representatives and you’re trying to get an extension. Patrick Collins represents him, and Jim Denton. Two agents I just worked with recently over there in Buffalo with Patrick Collins, who actually represents Josh Allen as well. Jim Denton, have a good relationship with him. 

"Hopefully, we’ve set Daniel up for success with again improving the offensive line, the weapons that are here, Saquon [Barkley] another year off the knee. He’ll be able to put his best foot forward. That’s a good problem to have if we’ve got to figure out how we’re going to pay [Jones], how we’re going to structure a contract, if it’s a franchise tag. That’ll be a good problem to have."

Florio notes the $8 million value mentioned by Schoen may not be accurate because the franchise tag for quarterbacks next year "could be in the range of $34 million." Regardless, the truth remains that Jones will be playing for his job starting this fall and will have to show his new general manager and head coach he can avoid both injuries and costly giveaways (he's thrown 29 interceptions and lost 20 fumbles since his rookie year) throughout an entire season to still be with Big Blue in May 2023.