ESPN4:05 PM ET2 Minute Read
The New York Giants have agreed to a four-year deal with quarterback Daniel Jones and used their franchise tag for star running back Saquon Barkley, sources told ESPN.
The Giants made the moves just before Tuesday’s 4 p.m. ET deadline for NFL teams to use their franchise and transition tags.
Giants general manager Joe Schoen had publicly stated that the team hoped to keep both players, which was made possible by the long-term deal for Jones.
Jones, who turns 26 in May, has had the most efficient season of his career, leading the Giants to a winning record for the first time since his first-round draft in 2019. He also played brilliantly as he led New York to a postseason win over Minnesota that sets the stage for nearly two months of contract negotiations.
Jones passed for 3,205 yards with 15 touchdowns and five interceptions while also rushing for another 708 yards and seven touchdowns.
Jones’ contract status was a key factor in the Giants’ offseason plans for Barkley, who was also a major contributor to New York’s surprise playoff run in 2022. Schoen said the Giants would likely put their franchise tag on Jones if the teams couldn’t strike a deal that likely would have resulted in Barkley becoming a free agent.
Barkley will earn $10.091 million as part of the 2023 franchise bidding.
Barkley once again showed he can make the difference by playing a full season for the first time since his rookie year in 2022 and finishing fourth in the NFL with 1,310 rushing yards. The former No. 2 draft pick had 10 touchdowns, had 32 rushes for 10 or more yards and finished with 1,650 yards from scrimmage en route to second place for AP Comeback Player of the Year.
The only issue related to Barkley was his health; He struggled with injuries in three straight seasons from 2019-2021 and missed almost all of 2020 with a cruciate ligament tear in his right knee.
ESPN’s Jordan Raanan contributed to this report.