by Eli Manning wants the New York Giants to stick with Daniel Jones long term.
Manning told ESPN’s Jordan Raanan this week that he was “proud” of the Giants’ fourth-year quarterback after a season in which Jones set career-highs in completion percentage, passing yards and rushing yards and led New York to postseason for the first time since 2016. Jones also turned the ball over just eight total times, the fewest in a season since the Giants drafted him ninth overall in 2019.
“Just the way he played in the fourth quarter of a string of games and led the team back to winning ways, which was great; that’s what you want from your quarterback,” Manning said. “To do it so quickly with the brand new offense, the way they’ve been able to compete, get to the playoffs, win a playoff game, that’s amazing.”
Jones began his career as a backup to Manning in 2019, but ultimately supplanted the 38-year-old in Week 3. Jones went 3-9 as a starter during his rookie season, with 3,027 passing yards, 24 touchdowns and 12 interceptions . But he also led the NFL with 19 fumbles and dropped 11. Manning started tagging Jones two more times in 2019 before retiring in early 2020 after a 16-year career in New York.
The Giants turned down Jones’ fifth-year option last offseason after three turnover-heavy years before Jones put together his best pro season. But that decision now leaves a big question mark over his future in New York as free agency approaches. The team could let him walk this spring, re-sign him for an extension or a long-term spot the $32.4 million fully guaranteed quarterback franchise title about Jones. The latter pick would give the Giants more time to negotiate a multi-year deal.
However, Manning would rather the Giants keep Jones around longer.
“I hope he gets rewarded for it [season]”Said Manning. “I hope he’s the Giants’ quarterback for a long time.”
Giants general manager Joe Schoen said he and the team want Jones back, are happy with his performance and hope they can find a new contract. But those are all speculative words. Jones could command a large extension given his execution of Brian Daboll’s offense and the team’s success despite various roster holes.
“…That would be the goal of building a team around him where he could lead us to win a Super Bowl,” Schoen said. “…We wish Daniel was here. He said that, there is a business side to it. But we think Daniel has played well this season. Daniel Jones”.
Jones agreed when asked about his desire to return to the Giants. But, as Schoen noted, Jones understands there is a “business side” to the negotiations. And that could play a huge part in determining what the Giants do with Jones.
“I have nothing but love and respect for this organization,” Jones said last week. “I would like to return. But we’ll see, and there’s also a commercial side. So I’m very grateful to be here and be a part of it.”
