Brian Daboll and Mike Kafka were cautious in their praise for Daniel Jones’ record-breaking performance in the Giants’ Wild Card victory over the Minnesota Twins a week ago.
Jones’ dynamic outing was deemed “good” by Daboll. Jones had done “a nice job,” Kafka remarked.
So Jones can be excused for his own noncommittal response about wanting to stay in New York following Saturday’s elimination blowout loss in Philadelphia.
Jones clarified after sleeping on it at Sunday’s breakup day in East Rutherford, New Jersey, that he would “love to be back.” But he made it clear that he has no idea where this will lead.
“I’ve had a great time being here,” he said. “I have nothing but affection and admiration for this organisation. I’d like to return. But we’ll see, and there’s also a commercial aspect to it. So I’m grateful to be a part of it.”
The Giants are expected to use either the transition tag ($30.4 million) or the franchise tag ($32.4 million) on Jones when the window opens on Feb. 21.
It’s possible that the Giants, buoyed by ownership’s faith in Jones, will reward him handsomely for his progress and impressive postseason win. It’s also possible that GM Joe Schoen and Jones’ agent will fail to reach an agreement, and the quarterback will be placed on the one-year restricted list again.
Saquon Barkley, on the other hand, has stated clearly what will result in a multi-year contract extension for him to stay with the Giants.
“I’m not too concerned about resetting any markets or anything,” he said. “I’m practical. I know what I was planning to do, but having two years filled with injuries and not performing at the level I know I am capable of doing doesn’t help.
“I believe I was able to demonstrate the type of player I am,” he added.
Barkley’s refusal to challenge Christian McCaffrey’s league-leading $16 million per year salary for running backs is a good start.
Derrick Henry of the Titans makes $12.5 million per year, while Nick Chubb of the Browns, a fellow 2018 first-round pick, makes $12.2 million.
So being realistic about Barkley’s place in that hierarchy would aid the Giants in negotiating a fair contract, perhaps for three years with the guaranteed money loaded into the first two seasons.
On breakup day, the Giants’ open locker room lasted approximately 90 minutes, from approximately 11:30 a.m. to approximately 1 p.m. Several players circled the locker room several times as they awaited their exit meeting with Daboll, whose sessions lasted all day.
Schoen and Daboll will meet with the media at noon on Monday to continue to show their unity and wrap up the season.
WANTING MORE FROM KAYVON
rookie advantage Kayvon Thibodeaux had some encouraging flashes and big plays in his first NFL season, highlighted by a strip sack and fumble recovery for a touchdown against Washington in Week 15.
Thibodeaux, on the other hand, had only one sack in his final four games, none in the playoffs, and didn’t have much of an impact against Minnesota or Philadelphia, despite finishing with eight tackles on Saturday.
“I definitely did not accomplish everything I set out to do,” Thibodeaux admitted. “I left some belongings out there. And next year, I’ve got a chip on my shoulder.”
“I ain’t going to tell you where I’m going to be, but I’m going to be grinding,” Thibodeaux said when asked where he plans to spend his offseason.
WILLIAM READY TO WORK
With a $18 million salary, defensive lineman Leonard Williams is expected to count $32 million against the salary cap in 2023. Something is going to have to give.
“I adore this squad. “I’m sure I’d like to play for them,” Williams said. “I want to play alongside Dex as long as possible. But we’ll see how things play out.”
Williams stated that he “would probably consider” accepting a pay cut in order to stay, before reversing his position and stating that he needs to speak with his agent first.
While the agent works out the details, Williams will focus on healing nerve damage in his neck caused by multiple stingers he received late in the season as a Giants D-lineman.
PLEASE RETURN
According to a source, the Giants signed running back Jashaun Corbin to a reserve/futures contract on Sunday and later announced a full list of ten players on futures contracts for 2023: WR Jaydon Mickens, WR Dre Miller, WR Kalil Pimpleton, WR Makai Polk, and DB Trenton Thompson. Miller entered the NFL as a tight end last spring, but is now listed as a wideout. A futures contract returns players to the 90-man roster for the spring, but there are few to no guarantees.
