Daniel Jones: Because of this, Saquon Barkley (New York Giants), Josh Jacobs (Las Vegas Raiders), and Tony Pollard (Dallas Cowboys) were unable to sign multi-year contracts by the NFL’s annual deadline for franchise-tagged players.
They won’t be qualified for long-term deals until the conclusion of the 2023 regular season, thus they’ll likely be unrestricted free agents in 2024.
In the months-long franchise tag process, several parties can be considered winners and losers beyond just the players directly involved. Here’s an overview:
Daniel Jones: LOSERS
Daniel Jones: In 2022, the New York Giants offered quarterback Daniel Jones a four-year, $160 million contract after he made great strides. The Giants’ choice to not exercise the fifth-year option on his rookie deal was followed by this choice a year later. Saquon Barkley, the team’s brilliant running back, was given the franchise tag while Daniel Jones received a long-term contract. Barkley had an impressive season, being the most effective weapon in the Giants’ offense, leading with 1,650 yards from scrimmage and 57 receptions.
Despite Barkley’s contributions, there are concerns about his status and mindset for the upcoming season. He might have been unsure about his future with the organisation because the company had not made a long-term commitment. Barkley expressed his sentiments on Twitter, saying, “It is what it is,” indicating potential frustration with the situation.
Given Barkley’s significant role in the Giants’ offense, accounting for nearly 30% of their production last season, any uncertainty surrounding his availability or state of mind could add pressure on Daniel Jones and the team. The Giants’ success may rely heavily on Barkley’s presence and performance, making it essential for the team to address his contract situation and ensure a positive environment moving forward.
Raiders: The Las Vegas Raiders are facing challenges similar to the New York Giants with their running back Josh Jacobs.While Jacobs had a strong 2022, leading the NFL in rushing yards (1,653) and yards from scrimmage (2,053), his inactivity since the end of the previous season has caused some concern.
The scenario involving All-Pro wide receiver Davante Adams, who had qualms about the team’s course of action throughout the offseason, has the Raiders worried. This uncertainty surrounding a key offensive weapon could affect team morale and cohesion.
Additionally, owing to foot surgery, recently acquired quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo was unable to take part in spring practises, perhaps delaying his assimilation into the team’s system.
The Raiders are already in a transitional phase, and these issues could lead to challenges in the highly competitive AFC. The team faces the risk of a difficult season if they are unable to address and resolve the various uncertainties surrounding their key players and the direction of the franchise.
Fantasy football owners: face a challenging situation with players like Saquon Barkley and Josh Jacobs, who are typically top-five picks in most fantasy leagues. Both players are currently unhappy and have not signed their franchise tag tenders, meaning they are not obligated to report for training camp. This uncertainty surrounding their status could cause a conundrum for fantasy owners, especially those drafting in August.
Further complicating matters is the circumstance surrounding Jacksonville Jaguars tight end Evan Engram, who just inked a three-year deal. Engram’s contract could impact the outlook for Jaguars wide receivers, as there are now several players to consider, including Christian Kirk, Zay Jones, and Calvin Ridley, who is returning from a suspension related to gambling in the 2022 season. Furthermore, the presence of multi-talented running back Travis Etienne also adds to the competition for touches in the Jaguars’ offense.
Fantasy owners drafting in August will have to carefully consider the uncertainties surrounding players like Barkley, Jacobs, and Engram, as well as the distribution of opportunities in the Jaguars’ offense. These factors could significantly impact the fantasy value of these players and affect the strategies of fantasy football owners during their drafts.
Running backs: Playing the running back position in the NFL can be financially challenging, especially if you don’t possess unique hybrid skills, like Christian McCaffrey and Alvin Kamara, who are successful as both running backs and slot receivers. These two players are the only running backs with contracts averaging more than $13 million.
Players like Saquon Barkley, Josh Jacobs, and Tony Pollard are set to make $10.1 million in 2023, which places them tied for seventh in average annual compensation among running backs. They are behind players like Aaron Daniel Jones of the Green Bay Packers and Joe Mixon of the Cincinnati Bengals, who recently faced a pay cut. Free-agent running backs like Dalvin Cook, Ezekiel Elliott, and Leonard Fournette face a challenging financial environment since it may reduce their ability to earn money in the present market.
Even Austin Ekeler of the Los Angeles Chargers, known for his touchdown-scoring ability, recently had contract negotiations that posed challenges due to the financial considerations in the running back position.
Overall, the running back position is currently experiencing financial constraints, making it tough for many players to secure lucrative contracts. Only those with exceptional versatility and production, like McCaffrey and Kamara, have been able to command higher salaries in this climate.
Daniel Jones: WINNERS
Defensive linemen: In the NFL, while running backs may score the touchdowns, the players in the defensive trenches have been receiving substantial paydays. The trend started with Daron Payne of the Washington Commanders, who secured a four-year, $90 million contract in March after being franchised. His massive deal seemed to set the precedent for other defensive tackles to cash in.
Following Payne’s deal, other defensive tackles like Javon Hargrave (San Francisco 49ers), Dexter Lawrence (New York Giants), Jeffery Simmons (Tennessee Titans), and Quinnen Williams (New York Jets) all received lucrative contracts this offseason, averaging at least $21 million annually. This surge in big contracts for defensive linemen is good news for Kansas City Chiefs’ All-Pro Chris Jones, who is expected to surpass Quinnen Williams’ contract and potentially become the highest-paid interior defensive lineman in the NFL, behind only Aaron Donald. The substantial investments in the defensive line highlight the value teams place on strong defensive play and the impact these players have on the game.
Dalvin Cook suitors: Dalvin Cook is a notable free agent in the NFL, having been released by the Minnesota Vikings in June for financial reasons.As one of the most notable free agents available, Cook is garnering interest from various teams, including the Miami Dolphins and the New York Jets, among others.
Despite being a valuable asset for potential contenders, Cook might not receive a substantial contract in the current buyer’s market. The Vikings terminated an extension that was supposed to average $12.6 million, indicating that teams may be hesitant to offer him a deal at that level in the current financial climate.
While Cook’s talents make him an attractive option for teams in need of a running back, the prevailing market conditions could impact the size of the contract he ultimately receives. Nonetheless, he is likely to remain in high demand as teams seek to bolster their backfields with a proven Pro Bowl running back.
Lamar Jackson: Among the players who received a franchise tag in March, the big winner is Baltimore Ravens superstar and 2019 unanimous league MVP, Lamar Jackson. Although some argue that he might have been better served signing an extension two years ago, like his 2018 draft mate Josh Allen of the Buffalo Bills, Jackson deserves credit for securing the deal he desired. Without an agent, he managed to negotiate a five-year, $260 million deal that guaranteed him $185 million and had the highest average yearly compensation in the league at $52 million.
This lucrative deal for Lamar Jackson could also set a positive precedent for other quarterbacks like Joe Burrow of the Cincinnati Bengals and Justin Herbert of the Los Angeles Chargers, both of whom will be eligible for massive second contracts in the future.
The focus now is on Jackson’s health for the 2023 season, hoping that he can stay injury-free while thriving in Baltimore’s revamped offense. The Ravens will definitely want their star quarterback to play at his peak and guide the team to victory in the upcoming seasons given their significant financial commitment.
For More News Visit
