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The Giants made two key decisions about their two 2019 first-round draft picks.
New York has declined quarterback Daniel Jones’ fifth-year option for 2023, according to multiple reports. However, the club announced that it has taken over the fifth-year option from defensive lineman Dexter Lawrence.
The Giants’ announcement about Lawrence didn’t mention Jones.
It was widely expected that New York would turn down Jones’ option. If they exercised it, Jones would have been guaranteed a salary of $22 million for the 2023 season. If Jones starts 2022 and plays well, he’ll surely be a candidate for franchise tag before hitting the open market. But if not, he’ll become an unrestricted free agent next March.
The Giants currently only have Tyrod Taylor as quarterback under contract for 2023.
In 11 games last season, Jones completed 64.3 percent of his passes for 2,428 yards with 10 touchdowns and seven interceptions. He missed the end of the season with a neck injury but has said he expects to be ready for next year.
Lawrence was the 17th overall winner in 2019 and is now guaranteed to make $10.8 million in 2023. He recorded 54 total tackles last year with five tackles for loss, 11 quarterback hits and 2.5 sacks. In 48 games over three seasons, he has 9.0 sacks, 14 tackles for loss and 30 QB hits.