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Saquon Barkley, Daniel Jones Contract Negotiation Status Revealed by Giants GM
February 1, 2023
Coming off a surprise playoff appearance this season, the New York Giants have two big decisions to make regarding Daniel Jones and Saquon Barkley.
Speaking to reporters at the Senior Bowl on Wednesday, general manager Joe Schoen said the team has already met with Barkley's representatives and he expects to have more talks next week.
Schoen noted the Giants have yet to speak with Jones' representatives.
Even though the Giants have yet to meet with Jones' camp, Schoen previously spoke with great confidence about being able to retain the 25-year-old quarterback.
"We're happy Daniel's going to be here," Schoen told reporters on Jan. 24. "We're happy he's going to be here. Hopefully, we can get something done with his representatives. … And that would be the goal—to build a team around him where he can lead us and win a Super Bowl."
Following the Giants' 38-7 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC Divisional Round, Barkley said he hopes to spend his entire career with the organization:
Giants Videos @SNYGiants"I don't want to jump to any conclusions. I've been vocal about how I feel and where I want to be. I wanted to show the Giants that they guy they drafted is still here. Everyone knows I would love to be a Giant for life"<br><br>- Saquon Barkley on his future with the Giants <a href="https://t.co/WIb5SNLahJ">pic.twitter.com/WIb5SNLahJ</a>
Jones and Barkley would seem to have a lot of leverage as they enter negotiations for long-term contracts.
Between the two players, Barkley's deal might be more difficult to iron out because the positional value of running backs is generally a low priority for teams.
Per Ralph Vacchiano of Fox Sports, Barkley rejected a contract offer during the season that would have paid him around $12 million per year, and he's seeking a deal in line with the $16 million annual salary Christian McCaffrey originally signed with the Carolina Panthers in 2020.
In his second full season since tearing his ACL in Week 2 of the 2020 campaign, Barkley ranked seventh in the NFL with 1,650 yards from scrimmage and ninth with 10 rushing touchdowns. He was named to the Pro Bowl for the first time since his rookie season in 2018.
Jones had the best season of his career in head coach Brian Daboll's first year with the Giants. He set career highs in passing yards (3,205), completion percentage (67.2), rushing yards (708), rushing touchdowns (seven) and QBR (60.8).
This was a dramatic turnaround for Jones after the Giants declined his fifth-year option last year because of his poor performance.
The Giants made the playoffs and had their first winning season since 2016. Jones threw for 301 yards and two touchdowns and ran for 78 yards in New York's 31-24 victory over the Minnesota Vikings in the NFC Wild Card Game.