New York Giants edge-rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux believes that his team should have prioritized paying running back Saquon Barkley over quarterback Daniel Jones last offseason.
Thibodeaux made the remarks to Carmelo Anthony and The Kid Mero on the 7PM in Brooklyn podcast, a Wave Sports + Entertainment original (1:28:41 mark).
For context, Thibodeaux stated that he still believes in Jones despite a rough 2023 season. The Kid Mero followed up and said a lot of people were mad at the four-year, $160 million contract the team gave him. Thibodeaux then provided his remarks on Barkley vs. Jones.
The Giants gave Jones that aforementioned contract during the 2023 offseason after he led Big Blue to their first playoff appearance since 2016 and first playoff win since 2011.
Jones was efficient and largely mistake-free through the air and made big plays on the ground, completing 67.2 percent of the passes for 15 touchdowns (five interceptions) and a career-high 3,205 yards. He also rushed for 708 yards and seven scores.
In 2023, Jones struggled mightily in six games, throwing just two touchdowns (to six interceptions) and amassing only 151.5 passing yards per game. He suffered a neck injury in Week 5 against the Miami Dolphins that sidelined him for three games before returning and then suffering a season-ending torn ACL in Week 9 against the Las Vegas Raiders.
Meanwhile, the Giants placed the franchise tag on Barkley, who is now set to become a free agent this offseason.
Barkley enjoyed his second Pro Bowl campaign in 2022, amassing 1,650 yards and 10 touchdowns. His 1,312 rushing yards were a career-high mark. He followed that up 1,242 total yards and 10 scores in 2023 over 14 games.
It’s frankly unclear who will be QB1 and RB1 in New York next year after a bitterly disappointing season in which the Giants finished 6-11 and were never in the playoff race. It’s possible the Giants look to acquire a quarterback in the draft to challenge Jones, and it’s also conceivable Big Blue lets Barkley walk.
For now, though, it appears there are a lot more questions than answers in New York, which needs to regroup after a disappointing second campaign under general manager Joe Schoen and head coach Brian Daboll.
