The New York Giants want both quarterback Daniel Jones and running back Saquon Barkley to return in 2023, but the path to that end has been rocky.
The Giants and Jones negotiated throughout the week at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis but were unable to come to an agreement. They now have roughly 48 hours to get something done or resort to using the franchise tag.
That would be detrimental to Barkley’s future as he and the Giants remain far apart on a new contract.
If the Giants were able to get Jones signed to a new deal, they would then resort to using the franchise tag on Barkley. But if not, their superstar running back is poised to hit free agency and then a return becomes far less likely, says ESPN’s Dan Graziano.
If there’s no deal in place with Jones by that point, the Giants will almost certainly tag Jones — who finished 2022 tied for sixth in QBR at 60.8 — to keep him off the market and would then be at risk of losing Barkley in free agency.
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler has also confirmed that intent.
I’m also hearing that the Giants will franchise-tag Barkley at $10.1 million should they reach a long-term deal with Jones.
It’s a precarious position for second-year Giants general manager Joe Schoen, who admitted last week he’s feeling the “time crunch.” With so many needs at so many positions, he’d much prefer to tag Barkley at $10.1 million guaranteed than Jones at $32.42 million guaranteed.
Losing Barkley would also create another roster hole for the Giants, adding to a long list of issues they need to address this offseason.
