NFC East

Daniel Jones has looked like anything but a surefire franchise quarterback during his first three seasons in the NFL, and the New York Giants will reportedly let the 2022 campaign play out before making a decision on 2023.

Jordan Raanan of ESPN reported the NFC East team is increasingly unlikely to pick up the fifth-year option on Jones' contract before the May deadline to do so.

"It seems likely they will pass since he's yet to show any real consistency in his first three seasons as a starting quarterback and it would mean guaranteeing him $20-plus million for 2023," Raanan wrote. "It seems inevitable they let Jones play it out this year and if he has a great season, that will present a good problem."

Raanan explained the Giants are in something of a "mess" after former general manager Dave Gettleman's previous decisions to restructure deals to get them under the salary cap in the past.

New general manager Joe Schoen is apparently looking to clear $40 million in cap space, and cutting cornerback James Bradberry and wide receiver Sterling Shepard may help him do that. The team could even look to trade running back Saquon Barkley this offseason depending on the market.

Yet New York will only go as far as the quarterback's performance even if Schoen is able to clear some cap space and add difference-makers in the draft.

The hiring of head coach Brian Daboll is one reason for optimism since he helped develop Josh Allen into one of the best quarterbacks in the league during his time as the offensive coordinator of the Buffalo Bills.

There is plenty of room for improvement for Jones as well, who looked well on his way to a productive NFL career by throwing for 3,027 yards, 24 touchdowns and 12 interceptions as a rookie in 2019 before taking a step back the past two years.

The Duke product failed to reach the 3,000-passing-yard mark in 2020 and 2021 and finished that stretch with a combined 21 touchdown throws to 17 interceptions. His ability to make plays with his legs makes him slightly more valuable than the passing numbers indicate, but the regression was a concerning sign for New York.

By waiting to make a decision on 2023 until the 2022 season is complete or at least underway, the Giants can determine if Daboll's tutelage has the desired effect.

If it doesn't, don't be surprised if the team moves in a different direction either through the draft or free agency next offseason.

Dallas Cowboys linebacker Micah Parsons told NFL Network's Rich Eisen on Friday that he's lobbied the team's coaches to play offense but that "they obviously don't see the vision I see."

Parsons pretty much did everything on defense during his first year in the pros, amassing 13 sacks, 84 tackles (64 solo), 30 quarterback hits, three pass breakups and three forced fumbles as the Cowboys improved from 28th to seventh in scoring defense.

The 6'3", 245-pound Parsons looks like he'll be wearing a gold jacket someday after winning Defensive Rookie of the Year, but he could probably be an absolute freight train as a running back or tight end.

He starred for Harrisburg (Pennsylvania) High School at running back with 1,239 rushing yards and 27 touchdowns on just 109 carries (11.4 YPC) during the 2017 season. 

He also outran Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Tyreek Hill and others at the Pro Bowl in a foot race.

There is precedent for a Cowboys defensive star to play offense. Cornerback Deion Sanders caught 36 passes for 475 yards and a touchdown in 1996.

Parsons could be a great two-way asset, although the Dallas offense did just fine in 2021, leading the NFL in scoring.

It's probably best for Parsons to stay on defense and avoid the potential for injuries. Then again, it could make sense to use him for the occasional play on offense (perhaps on goal-line opportunities a la ex-New England Patriots linebacker and current Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Vrabel).

Washington Commanders coach Ron Rivera said a new deal for Terry McLaurin is not "imminent," but the team hopes to sign both the receiver and defensive tackle Daron Payne to new contracts, per Ben Standig of The Athletic. 

"We have a tremendous amount of interest in making sure these guys are with us going forward," Rivera said.

McLaurin is heading into the final year of his rookie contract after going in the third round of the 2018 draft. 

The 26-year-old has a $3.04 million cap hit for 2022, which ranks just 47th at his position, per Spotrac. 

There should be a significant jump in the next deal after averaging 1,030 receiving yards over his first three seasons in the NFL. His 222 career receptions ranks second among players in the 2019 class, trailing only Diontae Johnson while ahead of bigger names like DK Metcalf, A.J. Brown, Deebo Samuel and Marquise Brown.

McLaurin finished 2021 with 77 catches for 1,053 yards and five touchdowns.

The production is even more impressive considering the rotating door at quarterback for Washington over the past three years. Eight different quarterbacks have started games during this stretch, including last year's mix of Taylor Heinicke, Garrett Gilbert and Ryan Fitzpatrick.

With a projected $30.4 million worth of cap space, per Spotrac, the Commanders could secure a new deal for McLaurin while also upgrading at quarterback and other areas.   

The Washington Commanders reportedly want to begin their rebrand with a franchise quarterback at the helm.

Jeremy Fowler of ESPN reported the Commanders are set to pursue a "big-ticket quarterback" and "won't limit themselves" in their pursuit.

Aaron Rodgers, Russell Wilson and Deshaun Watson are among the high-profile quarterbacks facing uncertain futures heading into the 2022 offseason.

Rodgers, Wilson and Watson essentially control their own NFL futures. Wilson and Watson have no-trade clauses in their contracts, and Rodgers is a free agent after the 2022 season—and at a point in his career where he'd undoubtedly retire rather than not play for his preferred franchise.

The 22 ongoing civil lawsuits filed against Watson accusing him of sexual misconduct or assault arguably make him an impossibility from a public relations standpoint. Washington continues to deal with the fallout of an investigation into widespread workplace misconduct, and owner Dan Snyder is currently the subject of an independent probe into allegations he sexually harassed former team employee Tiffani Johnston.

Members of Congress have harshly criticized the Commanders' inability to create a safe working environment for women. Trading for Watson would only add to the myriad controversies already enveloping the organization.

Rodgers and Wilson would be welcomed back to their current teams and are likely only headed elsewhere if they request a trade. Neither seems likely to push for a deal to Washington, which has a roster that pales in comparison to both the Packers and Seahawks.

A more realistic scenario would see the Commanders acquiring a Jimmy Garoppolo-level quarterback. Garoppolo could compete with Taylor Heinicke in training camp for the starting job and give Washington someone with the pedigree of a "winner," albeit one without a winning stat line.

The team could also look to reunite with Kirk Cousins, who is heading into the final season of his deal with the Minnesota Vikings. Cousins played his first six NFL seasons in Washington before signing with the Vikings in 2018.

New Vikings coach Kevin O'Connell has said he plans to build an offense around Cousins, however, so it may be more likely the quarterback signs an extension in Minnesota than heads elsewhere.

Pro Football Hall of Fame wide receiver Charley Taylor, who made eight Pro Bowls during a 14-year NFL career spent entirely with Washington's NFL team, has died at the age of 80.

The Washington Commanders announced the news Saturday.

Taylor suited up for Washington from 1964-1977 and amassed 10,598 yards from scrimmage and 90 touchdowns. He earned Rookie of the Year honors in 1964 after posting 1,569 yards and 10 scores.

Taylor split time between running back and wide receiver over his first three years before moving to the latter position for the remainder of his career.

The early portion of his career included a monster game against the New York Giants in 1966. He served as a catalyst for Washington's offensive outburst in a 72-41 win over Big Blue in 1966, catching six passes for 124 yards and two touchdowns. That game remains the highest-scoring matchup in NFL history.

Taylor then led NFL in receptions in 1967 and 1968 and earned All-Pro honors in the former year. His accolades led to him being named to the Hall of Fame's All-1960s team.

The former Arizona State star, who Washington selected third overall in the 1964 NFL draft, enjoyed more success in the 1970s.

Thanks in part to Taylor's efforts, Washington also went to the playoffs each year from 1971-1974. Washington went to its first-ever Super Bowl to cap the 1972 season after Taylor caught seven passes for 146 yards and two touchdowns in a 26-3 win over the Dallas Cowboys in the NFC Championship.

Washington then advanced to Super Bowl VII but fell to the undefeated Miami Dolphins.

Taylor had made four straight Pro Bowls from 1972-1975 before a knee injury cost him the 1976 season. He returned for the 1977 campaign before retiring. At that time, he held the NFL's all-time receptions record (649).

Taylor never won a Super Bowl as a player, but he won three as Washington's wide receivers coach from 1982-1993.

The 1982, 1987 and 1991 Washington teams all won Lombardi Trophies, with Taylor coaching a group that included Hall of Famer Art Monk, Pro Bowlers Gary Clark and Charlie Brown and Super Bowl XXII star Ricky Sanders over the years.

Despite facing a salary-cap crunch this offseason, the Dallas Cowboys would like to bring back free-agent wide receiver Michael Gallup. 

Per Sports Illustrated's Mike Fisher, the Cowboys have made re-signing Gallup a "priority" as he recovers from a torn ACL. 

Gallup missed nine games last season, including the playoffs, because of calf and knee injuries. He tore his ACL in a Week 17 loss to the Arizona Cardinals on a touchdown reception in the second quarter. 

Per Pro Football Focus' Doug Kyed, Gallup is expected to be fully recovered by August. 

The Cowboys are $21.2 million over the cap, per Spotrac. The Green Bay Packers ($48.5 million) and New Orleans Saints ($76.2 million) are the only teams in a worse cap situation than Dallas. 

Per Bobby Felt of 105.3 The Fan, Amari Cooper and DeMarcus Lawrence could be released. Both moves would save the Cowboys a combined $24 million in cap space. 

Gallup, Cedrick Wilson, Randy Gregory and Dalton Schultz are among the notable Cowboys players set to become unrestricted free agents. 

Pro Football Focus projects Gallup will receive a two-year, $25 million contract ($14 million guaranteed) on his next contract. 

A third-round draft pick in 2018, Gallup has spent the past four seasons with the Cowboys. He set a career high with 1,107 yards and six touchdowns in 2019. 

Despite missing half of the season in 2021, Gallup still finished fifth on the Cowboys in targets (62) and receiving yards (445). He has 2,902 yards and 15 touchdowns on 193 receptions in 52 career games. 

As things stand, the Cowboys' wide receiver depth chart includes Cooper, CeeDee Lamb, Simi Fehoko, Robert Foster and Brandon Smith. 

Dallas won the NFC East last season with a 12-5 record but lost to the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Wild Card Round.