By Andreas Reiners
After an NFL season, people like to pull out the gold scales.
Then you have to listen carefully. what is said. As it is said. Why. In what pitch, in what context, with what intention. Smiling, grinning, or dead serious.
With Daniel Jones, the words were put on the scales in a flash.
“I really enjoyed playing here. I appreciate all these guys in the locker room. It’s a special group of guys and I really enjoyed being a part of it,” the New York Giants quarterback said after the 7:38 clapping in the Philadelphia Eagles divisional round.
Daniel Jones: Is there a farewell?
What does that mean? Clear thing: past tense. So farewell.
After all, his contract expires. While Jones has improved significantly in his fourth year with the Giants, the game with the Eagles showed very clearly that something is still missing. You didn’t have to put anything on the gold scales.
In 2022, he completed 64 percent of his passes for 3,205 yards and 15 touchdowns, had just five interceptions, and was in the top ten in the league with his quarterback rating. He also displayed dual threat abilities, rushing for 708 yards and seven more touchdowns.
No question: He was an important building block in the fact that the Giants reached the playoffs after five years with a double-digit number of defeats. His steps forward are unmistakable.
Daniel Jones: No chance against the Eagles
But when it came down to it, in the divisional round, at crunch time, with the Eagles, against a real top team, a high-class defense, there were 15 of 27 passes for 135 yards with an interception. However, he was also under constant pressure, getting sacked five times and earning a rating of 53.8.
Bad timing.
And the frustrating end of the best season of his career so far. Coupled with the question of whether he’s the man of the future who can bring a Super Bowl to the Big Apple.
As is well known, the Giants did not exercise the fifth-year option on Jones’ contract. His reaction to not lamenting but having his best season speaks for himself. And the hope that the end of the road has not yet been reached for him.
In general, the squad makes you want more, it gives you courage for the coming seasons, because it has potential. However, it is obvious that some adjustment screws need to be turned. Head coach Brian Daboll and GM Joe Schoen will take care of that.
“We’re going to have all the talks,” Daboll said when asked if Jones would return. He was an important factor in the general transformation of the Giants, but also in the positive development of Jones in particular. “We have a long offseason and there is a time and a place to have all these conversations. Today is not the time,” added the head coach.
Because there are a few other components to this decision. Financial mostly.
Barkley a face of the Giants
Jones needs a new (lucrative) contract, so does star running back Saquon Barkley, and Darius Slayton and Sterling Shepard also have their working papers expiring, to cite a few examples. The focus, of course, is Barkley, who in 2022, in his fifth year with the Giants, had 1,312 yards and 10 touchdowns, clearly underlining why the team picked him second overall in 2018.
“Everyone knows I’d like to be a Giant for life, but I can’t give a 100% answer,” Barkley said.
“Sometime this week I’m going to have a chat with my agent Kim and see what’s up,” Barkley said. “I can’t imagine this being my last time in a Giants uniform.” At the same time, the Giants definitely see him as a face of the franchise.
That means: He will probably stay with the Giants. However, the paycheck must also be right for this.
At least that’s what the gold scales say.
