PFT has confirmed that Giants quarterback Daniel Jones did indeed switch agents from CAA to Athletes First.
According to a source with knowledge of the situation, the NFL’s internal database lists Athletes First as representing Jones.
The NFL Players Association currently reveals that Jones does not have an agent. That could be updated as early as Monday.
As a rule, a player who ends his representation has to wait five days before signing with a new company. CAA, we are told, has waived the five-day period in relation to Jones.
So what does Jones want? There are two possibilities. First, he’s willing to make a deal for less than CAA was willing to accept. Second, he wants more than CAA could get.
As a source explained, it’s the latter. Jones wants more than the Giants offered. Possibly up to $45 million a year or more.
The Giants could respond by simply applying the franchise tag to Jones. The non-exclusive level would cost them $32.416 million and would allow him to try and sign with another team – if that team is willing to give up a couple of first-round picks to get him.
All of this would have been avoided had the Giants exercised the fifth-year option on Jones. They didn’t, which was a calculated risk that he would have a solid year and they would have to sign or tag him.
The window for applying the tag will open in two days. The Giants then have two weeks to do that. At this point, it’s likely what the Giants will do.
Unless someone else is willing to give him what he wants and give the Giants a pair of first-round picks, he’ll make $32.416 million in 2023 — and he’d pay for a 20 percent raise (38, $89 million) due in 2024. That’s $71.31 million over two years, with Jones then taking his turn, potentially becoming an unrestricted free agent in 2025 unless the Giants are willing to pay him for 44 percent increase to $56 million in 2025.
Even if they do, the total investment over three years is $127.32 million, for an overall average of $42.4 million. With the ability to go elsewhere if his performance in 2022 is the exception rather than the rule.
So if Jones wants a long-term commitment worth $42.4 million or more, why not go under the label from year to year? At least for a year, the Giants likely will.
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