East Rutherford, NJ- New York Giants general Manager Joe Schoen has spent the last week in Indianapolis, not just to scout upcoming prospects for the NFL Draft, but working hard to keep the team's two offensive stars from leaving in free agency. Quarterback Daniel Jones and running back Saquon Barkley have been the focal point of the offseason as their futures with the franchise are up in the air. The deadline to place the franchise or transition tag on players is Tuesday at four o'clock (eastern time) and here is an update on what is going on.
Schoen met with Jones' reps all throughout the week in Indianapolis to work on a long-term extension and talks were positive. Jones' reps flew to New Jersey Monday morning to continue in-person negotiations, which continue to move in the right direction. It is being reported that Jones is looking for a deal that would pay him $45 million annually, or at least in the $40 million a year range. Although talks have been positive and all signs point to an agreement being made, the sand in the hour class is starting to run out. Time is running extremely thin.
The team wants Jones back as their quarterback for the foreseeable future and the feeling is mutual on Jones' part. With less than 24 hours until the franchise and transition tag deadline is up, all signs point to the team placing the tag on Daniel Jones. By doing so, the team keeps their signal caller in Gotham City for the 2023 season and gives both sides more time to work out an extension. Also, the tag would pay Jones $32.416 Million for 2023, and all signs point to this being the most logical option.
Now, Saquon Barkley's future with the Giants is all waiting on what the team decides to do with Jones, but one thing is for certain, the team definitely wants to bring him back and vice versa. Barkley has made it known that he wants to remain a Giant for the rest of his career, but at what cost?
While the #Giants work on Daniel Jones’ deal, GM Joe Schoen briefly met with RB Saquon Barkley today, sources say. Positive meeting, by all accounts, with the continued hope from both sides they can make it work. Let’s see what happens with Jones first.
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) March 7, 2023
Schoen met with Barkley Monday and the talks were "positive" according to NFL Network's Mike Garafolo, this comes after it was reported that both sides were not close on an extension. Saquon Barkley's future will be determined when the team figures out what to do with Daniel Jones, and there are two scenarios. Re-sign Daniel Jones and place the franchise tag on Barkley, keeping both offensive stars for 2023, or place the tag on Jones and risk losing Barkley to free agency.
Within the next 24 hours, things will be more clear for the organization. Contract negotiations will be ongoing regardless of what they decide to do, but they will leave no stone unturned to make sure they bring both stars back to the big apple. The Giants have a lot of work to do this off-season, and the team's landscape for the future all weighs in the balance.
- Jets secure powerhouse RB Dalvin Cook in major move - August 14, 2023
- Giants and LT Andrew Thomas Agree On 5-year, $117.5 Million Extension - July 26, 2023
- New York Jets secure future with four-year, $96M extension for Quinnen Williams - July 13, 2023
