The debate continues to rage over the future of New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones, and the latest development suggests the young signal caller is looking for more money than what was previously reported. According to Pat Leonard of the New York Daily News, Jones’s agents are asking for more than $45 million per year on a long-term deal.
This makes it even more likely that the Giants will apply the non-exclusive franchise tag at some point before Tuesday’s deadline. That would give the Giants the ability to keep Jones at a one-year offer of $32.416 million — far short of his reported goal.
If the tag is applied, then Jones would have options. He could, for example, stay away from the offseason workouts, training camp, and the preseason, showing up just before the start of the regular season and getting the full $32.416 million. But he’d risk not being prepared to have the kind of season that would make him an attractive option in 2024.
The Giants could potentially tag Jones a third time, despite the 44-percent increase over $38.89 million in 2024. If he plays great for the next two years, and if the salary cap and the market keep going up and up (and up), $56 million won’t be a ridiculous amount to pay — especially since it would push Jones to a three-year haul of $127.3 million, an average of $42.4 million per year.
The two sides have until Tuesday to reach a long-term deal, or else the Giants will likely apply the tag and the two sides will be left to negotiate a new contract in the future. Jones wants to get paid now, but the Giants are in no rush to break the bank for the young quarterback. It’s a dilemma that could have ramifications for both sides for years to come.
