The quarterback for the New York Giants, Daniel Jones, is considering changing agents in anticipation of signing a new contract and entering free agency.
Since being selected with the sixth overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft out of Duke, Jones has been represented by CAA. According to sources, it is anticipated that he will join Athletes First in search of a long-term contract.
The Giants’ new management did not exercise Jones, 25,’ rookie contract’s fifth-year option last year. However, in a prove-it year, he had his best season, and general manager Joe Schoen made it abundantly clear after the season that the Giants wanted to return their starter.
“We’re happy Daniel’s going to be here,” Schoen said in January. “We’re happy he’s going to be here. Hopefully, we can get something done with his representatives. And that would be the goal — to build a team around him where he can lead us and win a Super Bowl.”
If the Giants are unable to negotiate a long-term deal with their quarterback prior to the March 7 deadline, they will use the franchise tag. A quarterback’s non-exclusive salary is $32.4 million. However, doing so would limit the amount of money the team could spend this offseason to acquire the tools Jones and the Giants lacked in 2022.
According to sources, a long-term contract with Jones was anticipated to cost more than $35 million per season prior to the agent switch. That would currently place him among the top ten highest-paid position players.
In 2022, Jones helped the Giants win for the first time, played well, and won a playoff game while significantly reducing the number of mistakes he made in the past. In his 18 starts this past season, including the playoffs, he only turned the ball over nine times.
Additionally, Jones did not miss any games for the first time this season due to injury. He had to miss the final six games of 2021 because of a neck injury.
This past season, Jones demonstrated that he is capable of being a successful two-way quarterback. Despite working with a weak receiving corps, he threw for 3,205 yards, 15 touchdowns, and five interceptions. He also ran for 708 yards and seven touchdowns.
This past season, only four quarterbacks ran for more yards: Justin Fields, Lamar Jackson, Jalen Hurts, and Josh Allen. Additionally, Jones tied for sixth in QBR. The Giants hope that his performance serves as a foundation for the team’s future.
“I felt like I’ve improved as a player this year,” Jones said after the season. “As an offense, as a group, we improved a lot throughout the year. I’m proud of that. I think we have a lot of really good players and really good teammates.”
Since Jones was a surprise pick in the top 10, his first four seasons have been up and down. As a rookie, Jones made 12 starts and threw for 24 touchdowns, but he also lost 11 fumbles.
In his career, Jones has thrown for 11,603 yards, 60 touchdowns, and 34 interceptions.
