Account
Giants Rumors: Daniel Jones' $22.4M 5th-Year Contract Option to Be Declined
April 28, 2022
The New York Giants are reportedly set to decline the fifth-year option in the rookie contract of quarterback Daniel Jones, which would have paid him $22.4 million in 2023.
Judy Battista of NFL Network reported the update Thursday ahead of the first round of the 2022 NFL draft.
New York selected Jones with the sixth overall pick in the 2019 draft. He's yet to establish himself as a franchise quarterback after three up-and-down seasons.
The Duke product enjoyed a solid rookie campaign, tallying 24 touchdowns and 12 interceptions in 13 games, but he failed to built on that initial success. He recorded 21 TDs and 17 picks across 25 appearances over the past two seasons.
Jones ranked 22nd in ESPN's Total QBR and received a lackluster 71.6 overall grade from Pro Football Focus in 2021.
In turn, the decision to opt against the fifth-year option doesn't come as much of a surprise. It eliminates the future commitment if the 24-year-old North Carolina native doesn't turn a corner in his development, and the Giants could always use the franchise tag next year if he puts together a breakout season.
New York did pick up its fifth-year option on defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence, who's now locked in for 2023 at $10.8 million, per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.
For his part, the Giants quarterback said in early April he wasn't concerning himself with the contract situation.
"I think those things will, there'll be a time and place for those conversations," Jones told reporters. "So we'll see and we'll take care of that, we'll do that when it come up, but I'm focused on what we're doing here, preparing and taking advantage of every day we have here together."
His uncertain status does raise questions about whether the Giants, who own the Nos. 5 and 7 picks in the first round Thursday night, could be in the market for a quarterback in the draft.
New York would likely have its choice of any quarterback at No. 5, though there would be ample risk associated with taking Liberty's Malik Willis, Pitt's Kenny Pickett or any of the class' other top signal-callers that early.
The Giants could instead opt for a QB in the middle rounds to see how the prospect develops over the next year while also waiting to see if Jones can make a leap.