Of course, quarterback movement will dominate the 2023 NFL free agency stories this offseason. With Lamar Jackson, Aaron Rodgers, and Daniel Jones among the available quarterbacks after Derek Carr signed in New Orleans, expect big headlines soon. Jones is particularly interesting since he broke out after the team declined his fifth-year option.
Sitting at No. 2 on our Top 100 Free Agent list, Jones will be paid handsomely after breaking out in 2022. His first season with head coach Brian Daboll brought significant development for the 25-year-old. The team made the playoffs for the first time since 2016.
We’re breaking down the latest free agency rumors regarding Jones, so be sure to bookmark this page for updates.
Latest Daniel Jones Free Agency Rumors
Giants Meeting With Jones’ Agents Before Deadline
The 4 p.m. ET franchise tag deadline on Tuesday, March 7, looms near, pushing the Giants and Jones to finalize a long-term deal before the tag has to be applied. Because the Giants also have to figure out what to do with Saquon Barkley, there’s extra incentive for the team to keep the tag available for their star RB.
MORE: NFL Franchise Tag Tracker
NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo reported that “Jones’ agents are traveling to Jersey today [Monday] to meet with the Giants in person” after negotiating throughout the Scouting Combine. This came just two days after ESPN’s Tom Pelissero said the two parties had “no resolution in sight” on Saturday.
The fact they’re in person is a good last-minute way to make sure a deal is hammered out by the final buzzer. We’ll see if either party flinches and gives in to the other side as they feel the desperation set in. Both sides risk losing if the franchise tag has to be applied.
Jones Seeking More Than $45 Million Per Year
There hasn’t been a more jarring headline than New York Daily News writer Pat Leonard’s report that Jones’ agents are “seeking more than $45 million per year” in a new deal. Not only is it shocking because Jones would have a salary equal to or higher than Kansas City Chiefs star Patrick Mahomes, but also because it’s so much higher than the Giants’ other options with the franchise tag.
Leonard pointed out the $45 million figure is “at least $8 million more” than the combined cost of franchising him over the next two seasons.
Considering the list of quarterbacks making that much is only five names long, and that Jones is closer to a game manager than a star, I think this is merely the starting point of negotiations. Carr’s four-year, $150 million deal that averages only $33.3 million over the first three years is a good low-end deal for the Giants to shoot for.
Daniel Jones Landing Spots
Carolina Panthers
The Panthers were unwilling to match Carr’s desired $35 million average per year, per Mike Kaye of The Charlotte Observer, so it makes it hard to see them coughing up even more for Jones. However, if the Panthers could swap their ninth overall pick for Jones and then keep him on the franchise tag in 2023 and 2024 before extending him, would they? It seems farfetched, but something to consider if things fall apart.
Las Vegas Raiders
The Raiders have the seventh overall pick, which is a better spot to land a rookie than the Panthers at No. 9. It’s likely the Raiders will at least consider asking about Rodgers, and they could chase after Jimmy Garoppolo in free agency.
MORE: Quarterback Free Agency Rankings
If neither route is overly attractive, then moving their pick for Jones and revamping their offense around the young veteran could lead to an attractive trade package for the Giants to consider.
Baltimore Ravens
We’re waiting to see how the Lamar Jackson situation plays out still. A quarterback swap would be unprecedented but relatively easy to make happen for both teams. Baltimore could avoid giving Jackson a fully guaranteed deal and build a more traditional offense if they landed Jones and additional assets for him.