21 February 2023 , 17:31
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New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones has reportedly named his price for the team to resign him or he will look to test free agency.
Players who are set to be out of contract will officially become free agents on March 15 and are free to sign elsewhere in what is shaping up to be an exciting few weeks in the NFL.
Jones had career-best numbers in almost every possible statistic tracked this past season, but has had an up and down three years prior to that, not living up to the hype after being drafted with the sixth overall draft pick in 2019.
In 2022, former Buffalo Bills offensive coordinator Brian Daboll joined the Giants as head coach and called plays for Jones, building an offense that suited his play style and getting the best out of him.
And after impressing with both his passing and running abilities, he could now ask for as much as $45 million per year - making him one of the top earners in the entire league, NFL reporter Connor Hughes has stated.
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It would be a huge statement of intent to give Jones that contract after just one season, in a move that would certainly handicap the team to improve on their roster elsewhere, with Jones taking up almost a quarter of the entire roster's salary.
Former Cleveland Browns general manager Michael Lombardi has told the Giants that they should play the long game with Jones. He said: "They should tell him to go speak to other teams and see what his value is before paying him $45 million. Then they should come back and give him their best offer based on their salary structure.
"He had his best season this past year and they should tell him that they are his best scenario. I do not know one other team in the league that would pay him $45 million."
Daniel Jones will look to cash in on his impressive 2022 seasonJones recently changed agents ahead of his free agency. It is unclear which other teams would target Jones, but a number of teams are set to be in the market for a quarterback and could see Jones as an upgrade.
As well as Jones, Lamar Jackson, Geno Smith, Jimmy Garoppolo and Tyler Huntley are all potential starters who are set to become available on March 15.
Combined with this year being a strong quarterback draft class, the Giants could look to save themselves $40 million and draft one of Bryce Young, CJ Stroud, Will Levis or Anthony Richardson.
The team also has to consider what they are going to do with superstar Saquon Barkley, who is also poised to become a free agent, and will command a big deal.