The New York Giants have been working around the clock to work out a contract extension for quarterback Daniel Jones before the franchise tag deadline of March 7.
NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport says there is a «ray of hope» that both sides can reach an agreement, but time is short before a franchise tag must be placed on the quarterback.
If the Giants and Jones reach an agreement, the Giants’ other major free agent, running back Saquon Barkley, will receive the tag, according to Rapoport.
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Daniel Jones (8) of the New York Giants hands the ball over to Saquon Barkley (26) during the second quarter of a game against the Houston Texans at MetLife Stadium on November 13, 2022 in East Rutherford, NJ (Dustin Satloff/Getty Images)
«They’re not there yet. It’s a tough negotiation,» Rapoport said at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis on Thursday. «It’s really kind of hard to understand. What’s the price of Daniel Jones? Obviously successful, he led a team to the playoffs. The stats aren’t there, but [he] He didn’t have any weapons besides Saquon Barkley who, if they make a deal, Barkley will be tagged.»
It’s been the big question for Giants GM Joe Schoen this offseason: Can he find a way to keep Jones and Barkley on the team for the long haul? The question will ultimately be answered because only one player can be tagged each offseason per team.
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While the NFL Combine is a high priority for all NFL teams, the Giants want a secured franchise quarterback before making any moves. Having Jones under contract makes Schoen’s life easier for the free agency period that begins March 15, the start of the new league year.
Having Barkley under contract would be ideal. But the Giants have been working hard with Jones’ new agency to sign something.
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) and running back Saquon Barkley (26) walk off the field after a 20-12 victory over the Washington Commanders on December 18, 2022 in Landover, Maryland. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)
«Several hours a day for the last two days,» Rapoport said of the two parties meeting. «Again today. He has a new agency in Athletes First. The Giants have been working with them. Not 24 hours a day, but a significant number of hours in the last few days to see if they can get this done before the tag deadline. «. .»
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Under head coach Brian Daboll, Jones and Barkley anchored the Giants’ offense, an anemic group in recent seasons, to the playoffs for the first time since 2016. Jones quickly latched on to Daboll and offensive coordinator Mike’s scheme. Kafka, and Barkley returned to the elite form he displayed during his first two NFL seasons. That’s why the Giants would like that double threat on game days in the future.
It all comes down to price, and the Giants are taking things one at a time, starting with the most important position in football: quarterback.
New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley (26) and quarterback Daniel Jones (8) during an NFC divisional playoff game against the Philadelphia Eagles on January 21, 2023 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia. (Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
If Jones is signed and Barkley is tagged, the Giants will have until July to determine a possible extension for Barkley before his one-year price is set.
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The Giants have the fourth-most cap space in the league at just under $49 million, according to OverTheCap.com.