Giants reportedly strike $160m deal with Daniel Jones, use franchise tag on Saquon Barkley

The New York Giants have reached a long-term deal with quarterback Daniel Jones and use franchise label on running back Saquon Barkley, NFL Network reports.

According to the report, Jones’ deal is worth $160 million over four years with upside potential of an additional $35 million. The contract frees the Giants to use the franchise tag on Barkley, whose negotiations with the team have yet to result in a long-term deal.

Barkley would earn $10.091 million next season if he played on the franchise tag. He and the Giants are free to continue negotiating a long-term deal. He would have been eligible for free agency without the tag or a long-term contract. News of the two deals came Tuesday at 4 p.m. ET, the deadline for teams to apply franchise tags.

Jones, 25, served the fourth and final year of his rookie contract last season. The Giants declined to take over the fifth year of his contract last offseason, leaving him eligible for free agency unless a new deal or the franchise tag.

Under a new coaching staff led by head coach Brian Daboll, Jones had the best season of his career in 2022, prompting the Giants to prioritize his return. He had previously underperformed his sixth place overall in the 2019 draft.

Jones had 22 interceptions and 29 fumbles in his first two seasons, a total that includes the league’s worst 19 fumbles as a rookie. Jones improved his turnover rate in his third season with seven interceptions and seven fumbles. But he responded with just 10 touchdowns thrown in an offense that ranked 31st in the league in yards per game. The Giants went 12-25 in games Jones started in his first three seasons.

Last season saw a dramatic improvement from Jones on the turnover front. He completed a career-high 67.2% of his passes for 3,205 yards while tallying 15 touchdowns and five interceptions. His interception percentage was the lowest in the NFL. He also hit a career low six times while adding a career-high 708 yards and seven rushing touchdowns.

Jones’ improved ball safety and emergence as a common threat helped the Giants offense move from 31st place in 2021 to 18th place in 2022. New York went 9-7 -1 and made the playoffs for the first time since the 2016 season.

When healthy, Barkley remains one of football’s most dangerous attacking weapons. Sidelined and delayed by injuries the previous two seasons, Barkley had his healthiest season in 2022 since his 2018 Rookie of the Year campaign. He made the Pro Bowl after totaling 1,650 scrimmage yards and 10 total touchdowns.