Giants GM backs Jones as QB, hopes to retain Barkley

New York Giants general manager Joe Schoen still sees a future with Daniel Jones and Saquon Barkley serving as key pieces of the team's offense.

Schoen told reporters at the NFL Scouting Combine on Tuesday that he still has faith in Jones as the Giants' starting quarterback, according to team reporter Dan Salomone.

Jones' 2023 campaign was cut short due to a torn ACL suffered in November, but Schoen says the signal-caller is progressing well. He's already throwing from a stationary position and should be ready for the start of training camp, Schoen added.

As for Barkley, who's set to become an unrestricted free agent, Schoen noted that the franchise tag is not "off the table," according to NFL Network's Andrew Siciliano.

Schoen and the running back's agent are slated to talk this week at the combine.

"There's nothing new on that front," the executive said. "He's a guy we'd like to have back."

It's the second straight offseason that the futures of the quarterback and running back have come into question.

The Giants franchise-tagged Barkley last summer, but the parties couldn't agree on a long-term deal. The two-time Pro Bowler previously talked about playing his entire career for the NFC East franchise but also said the business side of the NFL opened his mind up to the possibility of playing elsewhere.

Jones was signed to a four-year, $160-million extension last offseason but struggled in 2023. He threw just two touchdowns to six interceptions across six starts.

Jones and Tommy DeVito are the only quarterbacks under contract for 2024. Schoen has discussed adding another signal-caller ahead of the upcoming campaign, with Tyrod Taylor slated to hit free agency.