Some optimism QB, Giants can get deal done ahead of deadline

Daniel Jones did not have his fifth-year option picked up by the Giants prior to the 2022 season and is set to become a free agent when the new league year begins on March 15.

Here is the latest buzz surrounding Jones…

Mar. 2, 4:00 p.m.

The Giants and Daniel Jones’ reps have reportedly been working hard over the past few days to try to get a new deal done ahead of the March 7 franchise tag deadline.

NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported that while the two sides haven’t come to terms yet, there is “some optimism” a deal will be reached.

“They are working at it several hours a day over the last couple of days, back at it again today,” Rapoport said. “His new agency, the Giants have been working with them a significant amount of hours the last couple of days to try to see can they get this done ahead of the tag deadline. Again, not there yet, but maybe a little more optimism for the Giants then say for the Ravens on Lamar Jackson.”

Rapoport added that if Jones does indeed come to terms on a long-term deal with Big Blue that running back Saquon Barkley likely would receive the franchise tag.

Both players are set to become unrestricted free agents on March 15.

Feb. 20, 4:20 p.m.

Daniel Jones has changed his representation from CAA to Athletes First, according to multiple reports.

According to ProFootballTalk’s Mike Florio, a player must wait five days before signing with a new agency, however, CAA waived the five-day period for Jones. Florio added that Jones switched agents either because he was willing to sign a deal less than CAA would have accepted, or because he is asking for more money than CAA has been able to negotiate.

Jones reportedly wants more than what the Giants have offered and could ask for as much as $45 million per year, according to Florio.

Although, the Giants could use the franchise tag on Jones as the non-exclusive tag for a quarterback is $32.4 million. The window for applying the franchise tag begins on Feb. 21 and ends on March 7.

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Two NFL executives familiar with the quarterback market told SNY’s Connor Hughes that the appropriate figure for Jones is believed to be somewhere between $35 and $37 million.

“Another, whose team is in need of a veteran quarterback and would ‘explore’ Jones if he were available, said he’d have a ‘hard time’ justifying a $40 million figure for him. In the $30 millions? ‘Sure,’ the exec said, ‘but not above,’ Hughes reported.

If the Giants had picked up Jones’ fifth-year option, they’d owe him just $22.38 million for the 2023 season. Now, if the team were to use the exclusive franchise tag then Jones would be set up for a 20 percent raise for the 2024 season at $38.89 million.