Daniel Jones or Saquon Barkley? NFL analyst makes difficult franchise tag decision for Giants
Heading into the 2022 season, the New York Giants had some decisions to make.
They played their hand in refusing Daniel Jones' fifth-year option and also waited to sign Saquon Barkley. However, their decision came back to bite them as both players helped the team have their most successful season since before Eli Manning's retirement.
Now, the Giants are stuck with a choice of either dumping tens of millions on the players or franchise tagging one of the two. Most expect them to franchise tag one of them, but the choice is difficult as the player not tagged is at serious risk of being on a new team in 2023.
Will the New York Giants find a way to keep both the running back and quarterback?
Speaking on "Good Morning Football," NFL analyst Rachel Bonnetta pushed the team in the direction of Daniel Jones:
"I need [the Giants] to franchise tag Daniel Jones because that's $32 million next year that you're going to have against your cap. The running back position is only a $10 million franchise tag."
If the Giants franchise tag Daniel Jones...
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She continued, expressing that, although still risky, Daniel Jones is much more likely to ditch the team than Barkley:
"I think there is a more of an expectation for Saquon to want to stay here than Daniel Jones, because Jones sounds like he wants to get paid, rightfully so. But I think Saquon knows his worth here in New York."
Both Saquon Barkley and Daniel Jones have one foot out of the New York Giants' door
The Giants running back is at the end of his rookie contract. Drafted in 2018, the five-year deal will conclude at the end of the league year later this month. Jones, meanwhile, is also at the end of his rookie contract. Barkley enters his age 26 season on the heels of his first 1,000 yard season since 2019.
Daniel Jones will also be entering his age 26 season after an uptick in production. Despite throwing for just 15 touchdowns in 2022, Jones' scoring production through the air ranks as the second-most of his career.
Will New York find a way to get both their offensive stars back for the 2023 season?
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