Giants’ Jones gets $160M contract
After days of hard-fought, downto-the wire negotiating the Giants reached a new four-year contract with quarterback Daniel Jones on Tuesday and put a franchise tag on running back Saquon Barkley.
The deal with Jones, worth a reported $160 million was agreed to with the franchise tag deadline just minutes away.
The No. 6 pick overall in the 2019 draft, Jones had his breakout season in leading the Giants to a 9-7-1 record. Working with new head coach Brian Daboll’s offense, Jones responded by throwing for 3,205 yards, 15 touchdowns and five interceptions. He also added another dimension to the offense by running for a quarterback franchise record 708 yards and seven touchdown. He was held to 71 passing yards (and 68 rushing yards) in the Giants’ 20-12 victory against the visiting Bears on Oct 2.
The Giants had refused to pick up the fifth-year option on Jones’ rookie contract before the start of the 2022 season. He was set to become an unrestricted free agent on March 15.
Barkley got the non-exclusive tag, meaning he’s able to negotiate a contract with other teams, but the Giants have the right to match or get two first-round draft picks as compensation. The No. 2 overall pick in the 2018 draft would earn just over $10 million playing on the tag.
Ravens tag QB Jackson
The saga between the Ravens and Lamar Jackson continues as the team failed to reach an extension with their quarterbacks and instead put the nonexclusive franchise tag on him. If he plays on the tag, he’d make $32.4 million.
If the Ravens had put the exclusive tag on Jackson, it would have guaranteed him a salary of $45 million for the 2023 season, and would have prevented other teams from signing him.
The Ravens have said all along they want to keep Jackson. They reportedly offered him a five-year, $250 million extension before last season. But only $133 million was guaranteed, and Jackson, serving as his own agent, wants a fully guaranteed deal similar to the one the Browns gave Deshaun Watson.
Jackson was the 2019 NFL MVP, but has been hurt at the end of the last two seasons.
The only other quarterbacks on the Ravens’ roster are Tyler Huntley, a restricted free agent, and Anthony Brown, who is in his second season after being an undrafted rookie.
This and that
Players who didn’t get tagged and appear headed to free agency include Chiefs offensive tackle Orlando Brown, Bucs cornerback Jamel Dean, Bengals safety Jessie Bates, 49ers offensive tackle Mike McGlinchey, Patriots receiver Jakobi Meyers and Broncos defensive lineman Dre’Mont Jones.
♦ The Bucs released starting left tackle Donovan Smith, which will save the team $17.9 million.
♦ The Dolphins reportedly will cut cornerback Byron Jones, which will save the team $13.6 million.