The New York Giants have a big decision to make this offseason regarding quarterback Daniel Jones.
Jones had something of a breakout year in the 2022 NFL campaign and led his team to the first playoff game of his career. Now, the Giants are going to have to decide whether or not they want him to be their long-term answer at quarterback.
Jones is up for an extension, and while a recent report indicated that the Giants would have to pay more than $35 million per season to keep Jones in New York, an update on the matter points to an even higher price tag.
The Duke University product and his representation might want as much as $45 million per season. That number would put him amongst the highest paid quarterbacks in the league.
“So what does Jones want?” Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk wrote. “There are two possibilities. One, he’s willing to do a deal for less than CAA was willing to accept. Two, he wants more than CAA was able to get.
“As one source explained it, it’s the latter. Jones wants more than the Giants have offered. Possibly as much as $45 million per year, or more.”
Florio went on to explain that because of the incredibly high potential asking price, the Giants may end up deciding to use the franchise tag.
The non-exclusive tag would come with a price of $32.4 million for this season. It would also allow another team to swoop in and sign Jones if it is willing to give up two first-round picks as compensation.
While the deal would not save the Giants a ton of money in the upcoming season, it would give the organization one more year to analyze Jones and make a definitive decision about whether or not the former first-round pick has what it takes to lead the team to the promised land.
Last season, Jones had a solid year as a passer and runner. He completed 67.2 percent of his passes for 3,205 yards, 15 touchdowns and just five interceptions. The completion percentage and passing yards both marked career-highs.
On the ground, he was just as dangerous. He logged career-highs in both yards (708) and touchdowns (seven).
He dominated in New York’s lone playoff win over the Minnesota Vikings, passing for 301 yards and two touchdowns while adding 78 yards on the ground.
