There is a clear limit for Daniel Jones as an NFL quarterback, and while he hasn’t hit his head on it yet, that day is fast approaching under new coach Brian Daboll. Now the Giants must make a decision on whether to give Jones a contract this offseason, and the New York fan favorite — and two-time Super Bowl champion — Eli Manning thinks they should.
Manning Talked Big Football with ESPN between the shillings for one of the millions of products he strikes his “shit” face.
“I was proud of Daniel, the way he played, that he learned another attack and picked it up. Just the way he played in the fourth quarter of the streak and led the team back to victory, which was fantastic; that’s what you want from your quarterback. To do it so quickly with a whole new offense, the way they were able to compete, get to the playoffs, win a playoff game, that’s great.
“I hope he will be rewarded for that. I hope he will be a Giants quarterback for a long time.”
Look, New York is going to bring Jones back. Maybe that’s not the best idea – maybe it won’t be good idea — but the team’s ownership and management are so enamored with the turnaround that there’s no way they’re going to start over.
Jones will get paid, and the real argument is how the organization should do it.
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Pay Jones now before the price goes up
If the Giants are thinking that Jones is only going to get better, then they should rush to pay him what he’s worth right now. And that of a young player with one competent season out of his first four. It’s a given that any future receiving unit will be better than the one New York started this season, and that includes if they start it again with the same guys next year.
The added chemistry with the receivers and his play caller should only help Jones. That’s why the team should try to sign him before more evidence emerges that he’s worth money like Kirk Cousins. Speaking of Cousins, remember what happened when the Washington franchise tagged him? He ended up leaving for the big deal from Minnesota, and the Commanders were left playing quarterback roulette (and are still at the table). The salary cap is rising, but the quarterback market is unlikely to be reset by anyone in the 2023 free agency class.
Except for Tom Brady, who won’t get a long-term contract, Jimmy Garoppolo is the next biggest QB on the market and I doubt he will put up huge numbers. It will likely be in the range where Jones should be paid.
Additionally, Joe Burrow and Justin Herbert will be up for deals next offseason, and those deals will melt ESPN down for a few weeks. New York should try desperately to avoid a scenario where Jones gets the idea that he’s worth as much as a real franchise guy. Sign him now at a moderate price because it will look like a great deal in a year or two and it will make it easier to wean him off if he retires.
Saquon Barkley should be franchise tagged
For the record, I hate the franchise tag. It’s a crappy loophole that forces players to compete without a safety net and should be banned from all sports. Still, in a way, he’s perfect for a situation like Barkley’s. While he’s finally looked like himself this season, there’s been tension when he hasn’t, and it’s unclear whether he’ll be at full speed throughout 2023 or if it’ll be another semi-consistent campaign.
The reports are that Barkley is “realistic” on negotiations, which is great news for the Giants. Paying a running back at all risks them ending up like the Cowboys and Ezekiel Elliott. We know they have short shelf life, and the market for ball carriers is going in the opposite direction of QBs. Let Barkley prove his worth, and if he deserves a mega deal, cross that bridge when he comes — or don’t.
I understand the current enthusiasm around the Giants. They still only finished 9-7-1, and the last thing a team needs to do is hand out big contracts like Oprah in a giving mood.