Giants want long-term deals with Daniel Jones, Saquon Barkley — report

Things have appeared to be trending in this direction, and this is the most direct indication yet that the Giants want the quarterback and running back to return

The New York Giants are prepared to make multi-year contract offers to quarterback Daniel Jones and running back Saquon Barkley, according to a report from NFL insider Ian Rapoport.

“My understanding is both of these guys have earned the right to come back to New York and the team does view them as being part of their future in 2023 and beyond,” Rapoport said on NFL GameDay. “The Giants do plan to attempt to work out a deal with both of these guys.”

Both Barkley and Jones can be free agents at the end of the season.

Jones, in his fourth year, has had the best season of his career. He has thrown for a career-high in yards (3,028), leads the league with a career-low 1.1 percent interception rate, has a career-best 627 rushing yards, and has led four fourth-quarter comebacks and five game-winning drives.

Daboll has been complementary of Jones in recent weeks.

“I don’t think he’s that far along in his career as a quarterback,” he said. “Again, it’s a tough position to play. I can just go by the guys that I’ve had the last few years. One, I was with him for four years and each year we took a little bit of a step, and you always give credit to the players. His ability to grasp information and then go out there and perform it with what we’re asking him to do, I’m not sure the other years he’s been here, I think he’s made steps each way. Certainly, things to improve on but conscientious, hardworking, tough, competitor. Those are good qualities to have at that position.”

Barkley is having his best season since his exceptional 2018 rookie year. He has 1,254 yards rushing and needs just 53 to tie his career high. He also has 1,597 total yards from scrimmage, the most he has had since his 2,028-yard rookie season.