With some time left to spare! For weeks now, the NY Giants have been focused on trying to get a multi-year deal done with quarterback Daniel Jones, as general manager Joe Schoen wanted to avoid having to use the non-exclusive franchise tag on him. Leading up to the deadline on Tuesday, there was plenty of worry things would fall through. Well, no need to worry anymore.
According to insider Ian Rapoport, the Giants and Jones were able to put the finishing touches on a new deal, agreeing to terms on a four-year contract extension worth $160 million. In the end, Jones has landed himself a massive payday from the Giants after his impressive 2022 campaign.
It's going to be a 4-year deal worth $160M, sources say, with $35M more in upside. They are finalizing. https://t.co/MTWTE4JVRl
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 7, 2023
The Giants have agreed to terms with Daniel Jones on a new four-year contract
This is big for multiple reasons. For starters, the Giants will avoid the $32.4 million cap hit that would have come with placing the non-exclusive franchise tag on Danny Dimes. Now, Schoen can go after some of his key targets in free agency, with a strong focus on linebackers, receivers, defensive backs and more.
Not only that, but the Giants can also use the franchise tag on Saquon Barkley, which will result in No. 26 earning $10.1 million next season. Schoen wanted to get a multi-year deal done with Saquon as well, but it wasn’t meant to be.
As for Jones, the Giants didn’t pick up his fifth-year option ahead of the 2022 campaign, so the signal-caller knew he needed to ball out to extend his future in East Rutherford. Late in the summer, people were calling for Jones to get benched, as plenty of fans wanted Tyrod Taylor to be the starter.
Jones silenced his haters early on, powering the Giants to an upset win over the Tennessee Titans in Week 1. Things got even better for him, as NY finished the regular season 9-7-1. Then in the postseason, Jones and Barkley were rockstars in the upset road win against the Minnesota Vikings in the Wild Card Round.
In his first year working with Brian Daboll and Mike Kafka, Jones tossed for 3,205 yards and 15 touchdowns, while adding 700+ rushing yards and seven more scores. Now that Jones has inked his new deal, Schoen will look to build around him in both free agency and the NFL Draft.
5 OL the NY Giants should monitor prior to the 2023 NFL Draft
With how poor the interior offensive line looked at times last season, it only makes sense that Joe Schoen looks to upgrade this position through the draft.