Daniel Jones contract: Does Giants QB's new deal make it among the worst contracts of all-time

The New York Giants tied up quarterback Daniel Jones to a new long-term contract of $160 million over four years on Tuesday. The deal included $35 million in additional incentives, $82 million over the first two years and a first-year cap number of $19 million, per NFL insider Ian Rapoport.

Many fans and analysts alike were surprised that New York offered Jones such a large contract, as he became just the ninth quarterback in NFL history to surpass $40 million per season.

"I said after the season I love this place," Jones said in a statement issued through the team. "I've really enjoyed my time here, and I want to be here. I have great respect for this organization, the Maras, the Tisches, my coaches and teammates. I am happy we were able to come to an agreement."

In his four NFL seasons, he’s passed for 60 touchdowns and rushed for 12 more, against 34 interceptions. He won his first playoff game in 2022, but most fans are in agreement that the Giants have overpaid for the signal-caller.

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Does Jones’ contract come close to being one of the worst in league history?

NFL Daniel Jones' contract vs. worst in league history

#5, Nick Foles

Nick Foles was a former Super Bowl MVP and winner when the Jacksonville Jaguars pried him away from the Philadelphia Eagles in 2019.

Foles, a career backup, had a fairy-tale season in 2017 as he took over from the injured Carson Wentz to win Super Bowl LII.

This prompted the Jaguars to hand him a mammoth $88 million, four-year contract with $50.1 million guaranteed. However, in his first game with the team, he suffered a shoulder injury and lost all four games he started for Jacksonville in 2019. He was traded after a year in what was a disaster for all parties.

#4, Carson Wentz

Wentz also was handed a terrible contract in 2019. The Eagles decided to roll with Wentz instead of Foles, handing him a four-year, $128 million contract extension with $107 million guaranteed.

However, despite having a solid season in 2019(27 TDs and seven interceptions), his play fell off a cliff in 2020. Wentz only passed for 16 touchdowns versus 15 interceptions as Philadelphia won just three games with him under center.

He was traded after the season to the Indianapolis Colts and has continued to struggle in the NFL with both Indianapolis and with the Washington Commanders.

NFL Daniel Jones' contract vs worst in league history

#3, Kenny Golladay

Kenny Golladay, Daniel Jones' former teammate, was given one of the worst contracts in league history by the New York Giants in 2021.

Golladay signed a four-year, $72 million contract with the G-Men, but was a total flop in New York. During his two seasons at Metlife Stadium, he caught just 43 passes for a single touchdown. He was released just two years into his four-year deal, at great cost to the Giants.

#2, Albert Haynesworth

Defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth was highly-coveted coming into free agency in 2009, being picked up by the Washington Redskins to the tune of $100 million. Not only this, the contract-length was seven years.

However, Haynesworth was a terrible acquisition, from questionining coaches' decisions to failing physical conditioning tests.

He spent just two years with the Redskins before being benched and subsequently traded.

#1, Jon Gruden

The Oakland Raiders tempted former coach Jon Gruden out of the broadcast booth to coach the team after a nine-year hiatus from the NFL. Gruden signed a 10-year, $100 million contract, making it one of the biggest contracts in league history, player or coach.

However, during his time with the Raiders, Gruden failed to reach a single playoff game and resigned in controversial circumstances just three years into his deal.

Gruden was found to have made racist, misogynistic and homophobic slurs via leaked emails, as well as calling NFL commissioner Roger Goodell a "clueless, anti-football p****."

About the author

Matthew David Wear is an NFL writer for Sportskeeda based in Manchester with a Bachelor’s degree in Sports Journalism from the University of Sunderland. He has a total work experience of 10 years, having previously worked for the likes of FourFourTwo, World Soccer, Soccer AM, Sunderland Echo and ALS Fanzine.

Matthew follows the Cincinnati Bengals since he feels that they have been underdogs without achieving much success just like his native Sunderland AFC. If he could ever go back in time, he would want to change the 'holding' call on Logan Wilson that led to the Rams winning the game.

His favorite NFL players are Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase, Logan Wilson and Trey Hendrickson, while his favorite coach is Andy Reid for his unparalleled offensive tactics. His favorite Super Bowl is the LII edition where the Philadelphia Eagles beat the New England Patriots and Nick Foles was declared MVP.

To stay at the top of his craft, Matthew keeps himself updated with stats, plays fantasy football, and makes sure all the data in his work are from reputed sources. When not working, Matthew likes to stay outdoors and engage in running and hiking.

Know More

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Edited by Joseph Schiefelbein