Giants turn Danny Dimes into Danny Dollars, plus the Ravens take a huge risk with Lamar Jackson

Good morning to everyone but especially to …

DANIEL JONES

It seemed like there had been questions surrounding Daniel Jones‘ future in New York ever since the Giants drafted him. They finally emphatically answered those questions, agreeing to a four-year, $160 million deal with Jones shortly before the franchise tag deadline.

The deal includes $82 million guaranteed and $35 million in incentives. Jones is the seventh-most expensive quarterback on a per-year basis ($40 million).

• Crucially, Jones’ 2023 cap hit is just $19 million. That should allow the Giants to upgrade several spots — especially wide receiver.
• Last year, Jones posted the league’s lowest interception rate (1.1%) and had just eight turnovers, a dramatic turnaround from his 16.3 per season from 2019-21. Jones was also sixth in completion percentage, threw for a career-high 3,205 yards and ran for 708 yards, fifth-most among quarterbacks.
• The Giants also won their first playoff game since the 2012 season a few months ago.

While the $160 million seems high, the $82 million guaranteed is the number to focus on. If Jones plays at a high level, this deal is very reasonable. If he doesn’t, the guarantees aren’t enormous, and the Giants would have some future flexibility. Regardless, credit the Giants for building a winner out of nowhere in their first year under Brian Daboll, and credit Jones — who led the charge — for cashing in on it.

Honorable mentions

And not such a good morning for …

LAMAR JACKSON AND THE BALTIMORE RAVENS

On the other side of the feel-good story of Jones and the Giants is the not-feel-good — or at least feel-confused-and-concerned — story of Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens.

The two sides did not agree to a long-term deal before Tuesday’s deadline, and Baltimore placed the non-exclusive franchise tag on their star quarterback. Here’s what that means:

• This gives the Ravens until July 17 to try to come to a long-term deal with the 2019 MVP.
• The non-exclusive tag costs the Ravens $32.4 million in 2023 but means any team can negotiate with Jackson.
• If another team were to agree to a deal with Jackson, the Ravens would have the opportunity to match the offer. If they declined to do so, the team agreeing to a deal with Jackson would send Baltimore two…