This offseason, the New York Giants are facing quite a concerning situation with starting quarterback Daniel Jones and star running back Saquon Barkley both expected to become free agents this offseason. With the Giants obviously only having one franchise tag available for one of the two players, that means in order to bring both stars back, they’ll need to sign at least one of them to a new contract. And it looks like there’s at least some optimism that they could sign Jones to a new deal.

According to a report from league insider Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network, there is now “some optimism” that the New York Giants could sign Daniel Jones to a new contract before the tag deadline next week.

“It certainly sounds like some optimism. They’re not there yet. It’s a tough negotiation,” Rapoport said. “Figuring out his price has been difficult, but they’re working at it. Several hours a day over the last couple of days, back at it again today. … not around the clock, but I would say a significant amount of hours the last couple of days just to try to see – can they get this done before the tag deadline? Again, not there yet, but maybe a little more optimism for the Giants than say the Ravens for Lamar Jackson.”

From NFL Now: The #Giants and Daniel Jones’ new agents are hard at work focusing on a new deal, and there appears to be a glimmer of hope. pic.twitter.com/V6bfsxDmpk

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 2, 2023

Rapoport points out that if the Giants are able to sign Jones to a new contract before the tag deadline, it would allow the team to place a franchise tag on Saquon Barkley, preventing him from becoming an unrestricted free agent and securing him for one more season.

It’s a big update for the Giants, and the NFL world had plenty to say about it on Twitter.

Ian Rapaport says the Giants would franchise tag Saquon Barkley if a Daniel Jones deal gets done pic.twitter.com/NxyrEyy0Ar

— Talkin’ Giants (@TalkinGiants) March 2, 2023

Whoa, could the Giants tag Saquon Barkley if they reach a deal with Daniel Jones?pic.twitter.com/OZOayZerQW

— Audacy Sports (@AudacySports) March 2, 2023

Sorta rooting for Daniel Jones’ eventual Giants salary to end up a tick over 40 mil, just so I can write that his AAV is higher than Aaron Judge’s. https://t.co/CD90RsOz03

— Ian O’Connor (@Ian_OConnor) March 2, 2023

“If the Giants get a deal done with Daniel Jones, they will (franchise) tag Saquon Barkley.” – @RapSheet pic.twitter.com/E66wQrRV6S

— Doug Rush (@TheDougRush) March 2, 2023

HOLD THAT LINE AND TAKE THAT TAG, DANIEL. https://t.co/7DpxHDYwpN

— Bleacher Nation Bears (@BN_Bears) March 2, 2023

We’ll have to see how the Giants handle this situation.

[Ian Rapoport]