Negotiations with Daniel Jones got off to a ‘much bumpier start than expected’ according to The Post’s Ryan Dunleavyand that can be for a number of reasons.
Maybe worth $45 million.
According to ProFootballTalk, the 25-year-old Giants quarterback wants “more than the Giants have offered” — up to $45 million a year “or more.” Jones, who recently switched agents from CAA to Athletes First, is poised to enter free agency after the Giants declined his fifth-year option in April.
Jones’ stock rose after he had the best season of his career in 2022. He threw for 3,205 yards, 15 touchdowns and just five interceptions while also rushing for another 708 yards and seven touchdowns. The Giants finished Brian Daboll’s first season 9-7-1, and head coaching quarterback duo Daboll and Jones led the franchise to its first postseason win since February 2012 with a win over the Vikings in the NFC wildcard Round.
Daniel Jones had his best season after the Giants turned down his fifth-year option. Charles Wenzelberg
Daniel Jones recently joined Athletes First from CAA ahead of his free agency debut. Charles Wenzelberg
Both passing yards and rushing yards were career highlights. The interception total was also a career best. Jones has been lauded for his improvements by Giants leadership — from Daboll to general manager Joe Schoen to co-owner John Mara — and immediately became a key part of the team’s aspired future just months after 2022 emerged as its final year could be in New York.
That performance made it even harder to dissect Jones’ looming free hand. The Post’s Paul Schwartz reported that a $190 million five-year deal is within the team’s “statistic range,” which would average $38 million per year. But if the Giants and Jones can’t agree on a multi-year deal, the team could use the $32.4 million franchise tag.
Daniel Jones reportedly expected $45 million or more from the Giants in his new contract. Corey Sipkin for the NY Post
Dunleavy reported that given the bumpy introduction to Jones’ negotiations, the franchise tag was “very much in play”. The team must also consider how to balance deals for Jones and star running back Saquon Barkley at the same time.
And with Jones’ price rising, as well as the agent change, the window to use the franchise tag between February 21 and March 7 becomes a crucial one if a long-term deal doesn’t seem to materialize by that time.