View: https://bleacherreport.com/articles/10064163-report-giants-seahawks-dont-want-to-use-franchise-tag-on-daniel-jones-geno-smith
Report: Giants, Seahawks Don't Want to Use Franchise Tag on Daniel Jones, Geno Smith
The Seattle Seahawks and New York Giants both made the playoffs this season with pending free agents at quarterback in Geno Smith and Daniel Jones, respectively.
Per The Athletic's Jeff Howe on Saturday, both teams want to keep their quarterbacks in the fold but would prefer to do so without using the franchise tag.
Avoiding the franchise tag would certainly benefit the teams. The one-year tender's cap hit for quarterbacks in 2023 is $32.4 million, all of which is guaranteed.
It doesn't sound like there's going to be any drama between Smith and the Seahawks. He told SiriusXM NFL Radio on Friday that things are "looking very good" in their early discussions about an extension.
The vibes between Smith and the Seahawks have been good all season. After their loss to the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Wild Card Game, head coach Pete Carroll told reporters "we've got our guy" at quarterback and called him "a big part" of their future.
After spending the previous six seasons in the league as a backup with the New York Jets, New York Giants, Los Angeles Chargers and Seahawks, Smith took over as Seattle's starter following the Russell Wilson trade. He had a terrific 2022 with 4,282 yards, 30 touchdowns and an NFL-best 69.8 completion percentage.
Giants head coach Brian Daboll wasn't as forthcoming about Jones' future following the team's playoff loss to the Philadelphia Eagles.
"All these conversations, we're going to have those. We have a long offseason," Daboll told reporters. "There is a time and place to have all those conversations and tonight's not it."
General manager Joe Schoen told reporters at the Senior Bowl this week they haven't begun discussions with Jones' representatives, but they want to have him back next season.
ESPN's Jordan Raanan projected an extension of four years, $152 million ($80 million guaranteed) for Jones.
There are reasons for the Giants to play their cards close to his chest. Jones, the No. 6 overall pick in the 2019 NFL draft, looked like a bust after his first three seasons and didn't have the fifth-year option on his rookie deal picked up.
In his first season playing with Daboll, Jones set career highs in completion percentage (67.2), passing yards (3,205), rushing yards (708) and rushing touchdowns (seven). He accounted for 379 yards and two touchdowns in the Giants' 31-24 win over the Minnesota Vikings in the NFC Wild Card Game.