When the New York Giants signed embattled quarterback Daniel Jones to a four-year, $160 million extension final March, the critics swarmed throughout them, knives out.
Many consultants felt the Giants have been nuts for extending Jones, stating that Jones’ efficiency didn’t warrant each the cash and the size of the deal.
Then Jones had a depressing 2023 season, starting with a 40-0 blowout by the hands of the Dallas Cowboys on Kickoff Weekend on nationwide tv and ending with a torn ACL that knocked him out for the yr in Week 9.
Quick ahead to as we speak. Jones is again working towards in full for the Giants and his contract seems to be as whether it is extra in step with that of an NFL beginning quarterback. His annual cap hit of $40 million is 14th amongst NFL starters.
Veteran NFL reporter Ralph Vacchiano, who covers the NFC East for FOX Sports activities, just lately wrote that Jones’ deal seems to be extra like a cut price now that many different comparable gamers have gotten rewarded with bigger contracts.
There at the moment are eight quarterbacks making greater than $50 million per yr. That listing contains Trevor Lawrence, who bought a five-year, $275 million deal from the Jaguars after throwing for simply 21 touchdowns and 14 interceptions final season regardless of his profession file of 20-30. And it contains Jordan Love, who bought a four-year, $220 million extension from the Packers after his first season as a starter.
In equity to them, Jones’ greatest season — 2022 when he threw for 3,205 yards, 15 touchdowns and 5 interceptions whereas operating for 708 yards and 7 touchdowns — pales compared to their greatest years. And Jones can’t probably be in comparison with most of different top-paid quarterbacks on the listing.
However that’s the purpose. He doesn’t actually must be, as a result of he’s not paid like an elite quarterback.
Giants co-owner John Mara just lately mentioned he was blissful the Giants inked Jones to the extension.
“I’m nonetheless blissful we gave him that contract as a result of I assumed he performed rather well for us in ’22,” Mara mentioned, through Giants.com. “Final yr, he bought damage and let’s be trustworthy, when he was enjoying, we weren’t blocking anyone. So, let’s give him an opportunity with a greater offensive line with some weapons round him to see what he can do.”
The Giants added a number of veterans to the offensive line in free company and bolstered the supporting forged round Jones even additional with the number of LSU stud wideout Malik Nabers within the draft.
Jones himself believes he is among the greatest quarterbacks within the league when the sector is leveled. In a current interview with Tyler Dunne of Go Lengthy, Jones was requested if he thought he must be thought of among the many tops at his place.
“Completely,” he advised Dunne. “As a result of I’ve completed it, and I’ve performed at a extremely excessive stage and I perceive I must play persistently at that stage, however I believe we bought the blokes and we’ve bought the make-up of the workforce for us all to play at a extremely excessive stage, together with me. I do know I can.”
The Giants tried to commerce up on this yr’s draft for Jones’ doable successor however failed of their efforts. Jones was saved apprised throughout the complete course of however that doesn’t imply he didn’t take offense. He’s utilizing it as motivation to change into the most effective participant he will be.
“Positively didn’t take pleasure in watching that and it was a troublesome scenario in a whole lot of methods, however that’s the truth of the NFL,” Jones mentioned. “My job is to be on the sector and play good soccer. In order that’s one thing I’ve bought to know and it’s what it’s at this level. It’s about enjoying the sport and enjoying nicely now.”
If Jones leads the Giants again to the postseason, the deal with his contract extension will probably dissipate. It is going to shift to how the sunshine lastly went on for the previous first-round choose who Mara had a intestine feeling was the best man all alongside.
