Giants’ Jones: ‘I am happy we were able to come to an agreement’

After having a breakout season in 2022, the New York Giants awarded quarterback Daniel Jones with a new contract.

On Tuesday, the Giants announced they had signed Jones to a four-year contract.

According to ESPN’s Jordan Raanan, the deal is worth $160 million, with $82 million guaranteed at signing. In addition, there is another $35 million available in incentives. 

Jones, 25, was scheduled to become a free agent if the two sides did not reach an agreement by Tuesday’s 4 p.m. deadline. The Giants could have placed the franchise tag on Jones if a deal was not completed. 

“I said after the season I love this place,” Jones said via a statement from the team. “I’ve really enjoyed my time here, and I want to be here. I have great respect for this organization, the Maras, the Tisches, my coaches, and teammates. I am happy we were able to come to an agreement.”

The long-term contract allows the Giants to reduce Jones’ cap number in this and subsequent seasons, and Giants GM Joe Schoen is happy that the deal is done.

“We had productive conversations with Daniel and his representatives over the course of the past week or so,” Schoen said. “We are all pleased that we were able to come to an agreement prior to today’s deadline. This gives us a greater ability to continue to build our roster.”

Last season, Jones led the Giants to the playoffs for the first time since 2006, and the team got their first playoff win since 2011. 

In his fourth season with the Giants, the sixth overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft started a career-high 16 regular-season games.

He completed a Giants-record 67.2% of his passes, finished with 3,205 passing yards and a 92.5 passer rating, both career highs, and led the NFL and set a franchise record by throwing an interception on just 1.1% of his passes (five in 472 throws). 

In addition, Jones was second on the team with 708 rushing yards and seven touchdowns, both records for a Giants quarterback. He became the fourth quarterback in NFL history with at least 3,200 passing yards, a 65+ completion percentage, and 700 or more rushing yards in a season.

Barkley gets the tag:

In addition to re-signing Jones, the Giants announced on Monday that they had placed the non-exclusive franchise tag on running back Saquon Barkley.

The two sides have until July 17th to hammer out a long-term deal. If they don’t, Barkley’s salary will be $10 million next season. 

Barkley, 26, can look elsewhere, but the Giants can match any offer or let him sign with a another team. If that happens, they will receive two first-round picks.

Last season, Barkley finished with career-high totals of 295 carries for 1,312 yards – the NFL’s fourth-highest total – and scored 10 touchdowns, one less than his rookie total. In addition, the fifth-year back caught 57 passes for 338 yards after he had 41 receptions for 263 yards the previous season. He finished seventh in the NFL with 1,650 scrimmage yards.