The New York Giants accomplished quite a bit during the 2022 NFL season.
They finished above .500 and appeared in the playoffs for the first time since 2016. New head coach Brian Daboll established the team's offensive identity and creativity. And two of the team's stars, Daniel Jones and Saquon Barkley, emerged from career flashpoints to turn in strong seasons.
The result is that the Giants are teeming with confidence heading into 2023.
"We're confident," Jones said Tuesday, via the New York Post, "and we know we can compete with anybody."
Jones especially stepped up -- and at the right time, considering his contract status. He threw for a career high in pass yards (3,205), rushed for career bests in yards and touchdowns, led the NFL in lowest interception percentage and only fumbled a career-low six times.
Most importantly, the Giants won nine of Jones' 16 starts last season, along with one tie. In his first 38 starts, the Giants had only won 13 of them. It feels like Jones and the Giants took a step forward, but he makes a good point: You can't carry over success one year to the next. You need to earn it all over again.
"We feel like we made progress last year and took a step, but what we do from this point on, you start over," Jones said. "It's about what you do now. We had a good spring, and we have to roll that into training camp and make sure we do everything we can."
Barkley's reemergence was obviously a big development last season as well, and the hope is that he continues what we saw from Barkley last season. Although Jones signed a four-year, $160 million extension after the season, Barkley has yet to receive his own long-term deal.
If he and the Giants don't agree on a new deal prior to the July 17 deadline, Barkley will be playing on a one-year franchise tender of just under $10.1 million in 2023. There's plenty of motivation for Barkley to play well this coming season to earn his own extension -- and from what Jones has seen of Barkley this offseason, the QB is expecting his teammate at his best.
"Saquon is always working hard, he's always going to be in good shape, he's always going to look good," Jones said. "Anyone who has been around him is going to expect that from him. We're talking all the time, staying in touch, getting together when we can. I know he's got a lot going on, and I really hope the two sides can come together."
