Episode 3 of Hard Knocks Offseason with the New York Giants encapsulated all of the moves that defined the Giants’ 2024 Free Agency.
The scouting, trade negotiations, and contract negotiations teased in both Episode 1 and Episode 2 culminated with discussions shown in Episode 3 between New York Giants general manager Joe Schoen and his front office staff.
Episode 3 showed just how much of a rollercoaster NFL Free Agency can be for an NFL team. Schoen was a ball of stress as he tried to build the best Giants roster possible. He faced pressure to satisfy head coach Brian Daboll and his coaching staff. He also had to consider the opinion of team owner John Mara, who has the Giants brand and public perception top of mind.
Moreover, competing NFL franchises can make it a waiting game when negotiating trades or contracts. Even players themselves can ask for terms that are deal breakers for certain teams.
Among all the storylines, running back Saquon Barkley’s departure to the Philadelphia Eagles and the details surrounding that move remained the most compelling. There is an added anxiety once that news reaches 1925 Giants Drive. Schoen and his staff needed to nail 2024 Free Agency to justify not re-signing Saquon. And with some splash signings and the addition of edge rusher Brian Burns, the Giants quieted some critics.
The Saquon Negotiations
Joe Schoen and assistant GM Brandon Brown were in lockstep going into negotiations with star RB Saquon Barkley. They were both separately quoted stating they would love to re-sign Saquon, but the contract had to be a number that was realistic for them to pay.
In the episode, Schoen asked Saquon’s agent Ed Berry what they would have to do to get a deal done. Berry named his price: $12.5 million a year for 3 years, $25 million fully guaranteed. Despite this proposal, Schoen got the impression that even if the Giants offered that deal, Saquon would still explore other options. Eventually, the Giants front office received word that other teams were driving up that price for Saquon.
It’s So Over
Ultimately, the contract Saquon received from the Philadelphia Eagles was clearly above what the Giants were comfortable offering. The Giants were priced out in their pursuit of Saquon, despite being given a chance to match.
Saquon received a 3-year contract from the Eagles worth $37.75 million with $25.5 million of that fully guaranteed. The deal was above (albeit slightly) what Schoen told Ed Berry he was willing to offer. Although not explicitly stated, the hang-ups Schoen had were most likely around offering that much guaranteed money to an older running back with an extensive injury history.
Team owner John Mara made his desire to re-sign Saquon known throughout Hard Knocks Offseason. Episode 3 was no different. “I’m going to have a tough time sleeping if Saquon goes to Philly, I’ll tell you that,” Mara says. “I’ve been around enough players. He’s the most popular player we have by far.”
Despite being disheartened, Mara agreed with Schoen that the Giants would “be ok” after choosing not to match the Saquon deal. Mara left Schoen’s office, emulating a demeanor directed toward Schoen that seemed to say “I’m not mad, just disappointed.”
Free Agency wrap-up
Once the dust settled after the negotiations with Saquon, Schoen and Daboll agreed that adding talent to the offensive line took priority. The offensive line has been a weakness for the Giants seemingly since their last Super Bowl run. Schoen and Daboll identified the 2024 free agents they wanted to pursue and settled on three options: guards Jon Runyan Jr. and Robert Hunt, and tackle Jermaine Eluemunor.
A good portion of the episode dove into the negotiations with these players, with Robert Hunt being the most expensive option. The Giants were most likely priced out of the race for Hunt, as he signed a 5-year $100 million deal with the Carolina Panthers.
This left the Giants with two top targets to pursue. Schoen and the Giants faced stiff competition from plenty of teams looking to get Runyan Jr. and Eluemunor for the right price. Even the Giants cross town rival, the New York Jets, made concerted efforts at both Runyan Jr. and Eluemunor.
Despite this competition, the Giants were able to sign Runyan Jr. They offered an extra year and another million per year to their contract offer to beat out the Jets.
The Giants also were able to outlast teams looking for Eluemunor’s services. They sweetened the deal for Eluemunor by sticking to his desired 2-year offer while outbidding other teams on the money side.
This episode also delved into the signings of QB Drew Lock and RB Devin Singletary. After considering many options, the Giants signed Lock and Singletary to deals that were more cost-effective after splurging on the offensive line.
The Brian Burns Trade Finalized
Joe Schoen and Carolina Panthers GM Dan Morgan got into the nitty gritty of the Brian Burns trade in Episode 3. After two episodes of teasing the negotiations, a deal finally got done for the Pro Bowl pass rusher.
The deal was more complicated than a traditional trade. Morgan and the Panthers had placed the non-exclusive franchise tag on Burns. This meant that in addition to compensating the Panthers, Schoen simultaneously had to negotiate a contract with Burns.
Hard Knocks Offseason conveyed that Schoen was able to get the elements of Burns’ contract completed prior to the trade details being finalized. Schoen and the Giants ultimately signed Burns to a 5-year, $150 million deal, with $87.5 million of that being fully guaranteed.
The trade negotiations with his dear friend Morgan appeared to give Schoen a headache. “What are we doing, Dan? Why do we need to add on a seventh, Dan?” Schoen said on a phone call with Morgan. “Like, c’mon. You and I are going to be doing this a long time, hopefully.” Finally, the two came to an agreement where Burns got sent to the Giants with a 2024 5th round pick in exchange for 2024 2nd and 5th round picks, and a 2025 5th round pick.
Schoen’s close familial relationship with Morgan clearly paid dividends in the Burns deal, talking the price for Burns down from 2 first round picks.
Quick Hits
When discussing free agents to target, Schoen and Daboll revealed how the free agency timeline worked. They had three days to negotiate privately with FA’s from Monday, March 11 to Wednesday, March 13. Deals could only be finalized and disclosed after 4pm on Wednesday, March 13. Schoen and Daboll acknowledged that insiders like Adam Schefter and Ian Rappaport would race to leak details of their contract offers to players.
The options the Giants considered in addition to Drew Lock for backup quarterback were Sam Darnold, Gardner Minshew, Joe Flacco, and the Giants’ previous backup quarterback Tyrod Taylor. Daboll stated “So then we’d have the same quarterback room as last year” to which Schoen replied “Yeah, for now.” This exchange seemingly hinted at the Giants’ interest in upgrading at quarterback via the 2024 NFL Draft.
Team owner John Mara is very hands-on: he wanted to be informed every step of the way, especially when it came to decisions on star players like Saquon Barkley.
Schoen and the Giants are very in tune with how the media portrays each move they make. NFL Network was constantly on the TV within Schoen’s office.
The Giants’ intranet tracks everything, from their own personnel, to potential free agents, to players entering the league via the NFL Draft.
The Giants’ SVP of Medical Services and Head Athletic Trainer Ronnie Barnes was seen giving his opinion on each player Schoen and the Giants evaluate. His clean bill of health on Jon Runyan Jr. surely played a huge part in the Giants making him a top target.
Jermaine Eluemunor has barely played guard in his career, yet the Giants view him as either a right tackle or a left guard.
Schoen and Co. are shocked to learn that departing safety Xavier McKinney received a contract from the Green Bay Packers that made him the 2nd highest paid safety in the NFL.
Paying Brian Burns was the most important element in finalizing a trade for the star pass rusher. In the episode, it’s stated that Burns has the most sacks of anyone from his draft class, but many of his draftmates below him statistically got paid top dollar.
The pitch that Joe Schoen gave to QB Drew Lock presented the Giants as a way to leverage a future pay raise and as an opportunity to be the starter until Daniel Jones returned from injury.
