Reaction to Joe Schoen's Season Recap Press Conference

After an extremely disappointing loss to the Philadelphia Eagles Saturday night, Giants GM Joe Schoen as well as Giants Head Coach Brian Daboll met the media Monday afternoon, to discuss the season, and what the offseason has in store. Here are the major takeaways from the presser.

1. Daniel Jones will be back as quarterback

Going into this season, it felt like Daniel Jones's time in New York was numbered. With the new regime coming in and Jones's less-than-stellar track record, plus the fact that they didn't pick up Jones's 5th-year option it felt like it was only a matter of time until there was someone new under center.

HOWEVER, Jones had the season of life this year. Throwing for 3,205 yards, 15 TDs, and a career-low 5 INTs. He also established himself as a rusher, running for 708 yards and 7 TDs. But most importantly he only lost one fumble this year. His performance, plus how he cares for himself in the locker room, being a guy who has done everything they have asked him to, and being a guy that everyone in the locker room loves. Jones has earned his spot as quarterback for the Giants.

Joe Scheon was very quick to talk about how he wants Jones to be back. He talked about how he sees Jones as the guy he can build the team around and that he is going to do everything in his power to bring him back next year.

In my opinion, this signals to me that Jones isn't going anywhere. Obviously, they are going to be smart about it, but Jones won't be wearing another uniform next year. Whether in these next few weeks, they are able to work out a contract extension, or worst case scenario they have to franchise tag him, week 1 next year Daniel Jones will be under center.

2. It's not a guarantee Saquon Barkley will be back

After Daniel Jones the next biggest question for this Giants offseason is Saquon Barkley. After years of injuries, Saquon reminded everyone why he was the second overall pick, rushing for 1,312 yards for 10 TDs, as well as racking up 338 receiving yards. He basically carried the Giants' offense for the majority of the season.

However, despite him being such a major part of the Giants offense this season, it's not a guarantee that he'll be back next year. When Schoen was asked about Saquon, unlike with Jones, where he quickly said he wanted him back, he was hesitant. He talked about how they must see how the salary cap plays out, and how much you can spend on each position. After about a minute of rambling, he finally said he would like Saquon back. It was then reported after the press conference the Giants had offered Saquon a contract that would pay him 12 million a year, and that he had turned it down.

As big of a part of this offense as he is, and how good of a player he is, I'm glad Schoen isn't all in bringing him back. Nothing against Saquon, it's such his track record and the running back position in general. Like do you really want to give a record contract to a guy who has dealt injuries for the majority of his career, just because he had two great seasons? It's just not a good use of your cap space, something Schoen stressed.

Also, running back are quickly becoming the most expendable position in football. It's a very physically demanding position. The longevity isn't there, plus it's a very replaceable position. It's very easy to find a guy in the later rounds of the draft and have him be a star at the position. It has become a very common thought among NFL executives that you don't give a running back a second contract. Just look at Ezekiel Elliot in Dallas, that contract hasn't worked at all.

Scheon is smart he knows that if he gives Saquon a big contract it will be one of the defining moves of his tenure, does he really want to lose his job or the faith of ownership because he gave a guy who has had injury problems, in one of the most physical positions in football a big contract and it didn't work out. No, if he's able to get the value he wants, he'll bring Saquon back, but he's not going to overpay for him.

3. Don't expect big-time spending

Finally, Schoen hinted at the fact that this team isn't going to be major players when it comes to free agents. Schoen said that the Giants are going to prioritize in-house guys. He will resign guys like Julian Love, and give an extension to Dexter Lawrence before he goes and signs a big-name free agent to replace them. He said you know more about a guy's work ethic and his personality in the locker room when you get to know him.

What this signals to me is the Giants aren't going to be major players on the free agents this year. They are going to focus on improving this team through the guys they have on the roster and through the draft. Basically trying to get as many homegrown guys as possible. No longer will you see the Giants go big game hunting signing guys like Olivier Vernon and Kenny Golladay, stuff the previous regimes were famous for.

This is a breath of fresh air for this organization. It was the reckless spending of the previous regimes that got the Giants cap situation to be one of the worse in the league. Focusing on improving the roster through the draft and player development will keep the cap healthy and allow the Giants, to have the flexibility to keep guys that they see as important Giants for life.

Now does this mean the Giants aren't going to sign any free agents, no. They just aren't going to use free agency as the main way to improve the team. It's going to be more of a tool to give this team depth and fortify the roster. Rather than using it to plug big holes, and solve problems at positions. Essentially it's the end of the quick fixes the Giants have been trying for the past decade.