Giants hoping to re-sign Jones, Barkley
Following a 9-7-1 record and a divisional-round appearance, the New York Giants are hoping to bring back their two main free agents: quarterback Daniel Jones and running back Saquon Barkley.
"We'd like Daniel to be here," general manager Joe Schoen said Monday, according to team reporter Dan Salomone.
"We would like to have Saquon back if it works out," Schoen added.
Jones is set to become a free agent this offseason after the Giants declined the fifth-year option in his rookie contract before the campaign. He passed for a career-high 3,205 yards this season to go along with 15 touchdowns, five interceptions, a 92.5 passer rating, and 708 rushing yards.
"He's done everything we've asked him to do," head coach Brian Daboll said, per Fox Sports' Ralph Vacchiano. "He's done a really good job operating our offense. He made strides in a lot of areas. He played the quarterback position well."
On Saturday, the 2019 first-round signal-caller expressed his desire to return to the franchise.
"I've really enjoyed being here, have nothing but love and respect for this organization," Jones said, according to ESPN's Jordan Raanan. "I'd love to be back."
Meanwhile, Barkley is scheduled to enter free agency after completing his rookie deal with the club. He rushed for a career-high 1,312 yards and 10 touchdowns.
Barkley said Sunday that he's "realistic" and isn't interested in resetting the market at his position, per Raanan. San Francisco 49ers star Christian McCaffrey currently tops all tailbacks with a $16-million annual salary, per Over The Cap.
However, Schoen said extension discussions with Barkley's representatives during the team's regular-season bye week "weren't really that close," per Vacchiano. Both sides opted to table further talk until the offseason.
The Giants can franchise tag either Jones or Barkley before the March 7 deadline.
Additionally, Schoen, citing the strength of the NFC East, said "there's a talent gap there that we need to close," per Salomone. New York posted a 1-4-1 mark against divisional opponents in 2022 while finishing third in the East.
The Giants ended their season with a 38-7 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles on Saturday.