INDIANAPOLIS – Joe Schoen was watching tape in the Giants' mostly empty and quiet headquarters last Friday when he received news that could have major ramifications for his ability to improve the team this offseason. The NFL announced that the 2024 salary cap will be $255.4 million, a figure that surprised many executives around the league because it was $30 million higher than last year's number.

"I get an email and it's from the league," Schoen said. "It's the salary cap number. I opened it up, and our staff was on vacation through the weekend, so I was in there and I'm like, 'Oh my gosh, I can't believe how much that that went up.' Because we were very conservative on our estimates in terms of our plan. It's caused us - we're going to reconvene here. Because, again, we were operating in the 241 to 243 (million-dollar range). We were being conservative. It's a pleasant surprise where it ended up coming in.

"So, yeah, we're going to recalibrate and say, 'Okay, now that this is what the salary cap is, we didn't think it was going to be this much, how will that alter our plans, if it'll alter them at all.' Looking forward to doing that with my staff later this afternoon."

The vital question is what will the Giants do with that extra money to improve a team that finished 6-11 last season? Two of their team captains and most productive players, running back Saquon Barkley and safety Xavier McKinney, are among their 25 unrestricted free agents. And they need to add a quarterback because Daniel Jones is rehabbing after undergoing surgery to repair a torn ACL.

Schoen discussed these and many other subjects in his annual news conference at the NFL Scouting Combine.

Barkley was a free agent a year ago and received the franchise tag. Because the two sides did not reach an agreement on a long-term contract, he earned the tag salary of $10.1 million in 2023. That figure has risen to more than $12 million this year, leading to widespread speculation that Barkley won't get tagged again.

Not so fast, Schoen said.

"I wouldn't say the franchise tag is off the table," Schoen said. "I think the new number if we're going to franchise somebody for the first time at that position is, like, 11.9 (million), and his number's not much more than that. So, salary cap changes your philosophy on how you're going to attack things. That's not off the table. We don't want to do it. In a perfect world, we don't want to do that again."

Schoen said he plans to meet with Barkley's representatives at the combine.

"There's nothing new on that front," he said. "The conversation, the plan all along, was to meet here in Indy and have those discussions about how we're going to move forward with him. He's a guy we'd like to have back. So, those conversations will take place this week, and we'll see if we can get something done with him.

"I know he says he wants a fair deal and I appreciate that and ultimately, we've got to do what's best for the franchise short term and long term. We'll take all those things into account but look forward to meeting with his representatives."

Barkley led the Giants in rushing (962) and scrimmage yards (1,242) and touchdowns (10, including six on the ground). Some of his numbers declined from 2002, but that was due in part to missing three games with an ankle injury.

"I wouldn't say his value has changed, especially in the organization," Schoen said. "He's a captain, he's a leader, he's a hard worker. I think the world of Saquon and I still think he can play. So, my value for Saquon really hasn't changed. Unfortunately, throughout the process, starting back in November of 2022, we weren't able to come to an agreement in terms of where we both thought a deal made sense. So, we'll circle back again. He has a new agent, Ed Berry, who we have a really good relationship with, with CAA. Really good guy and does a great job. Look forward to sitting down and having conversations with him.

"I think we've all grown, Saquon, myself, the organization, through the last 12, 13, 14 months. Saquon may be in a different place now than he was then in terms of understanding the market and the business side of it. I'm looking forward to having those conversations with him."

McKinney, entering his fifth NFL season, joined teammate Bobby Okereke as the only defensive players to participate in every snap in 2023 (1,128). He intercepted a team-high three passes, tied for the team lead with 11 passes defensed, and was second to Okereke in total tackles (116) and solo stops (78).

Schoen said McKinney is in the "same boat" as Barkley.

"His agent, David Mulugheta, will get in here on Friday," Schoen said. "We have a meeting planned with him. I've had really good talks with Xavier over the last couple of weeks, but talks have not begun with that. I know there was something out there that maybe they'd begun conversations with a contract extension, but we haven't had any talks other than that we're going to get to the combine, think about where you guys see the value, we're going to have our comps and then we can start from there. Xavier is another player that we'd like to have back. He's 24 years old, he was a captain, played 100 percent of the snaps. We think a lot of X and look forward to getting to the negotiation period here later this week."

Jones tore his right ACL in Las Vegas on Nov. 5 and underwent surgery 17 days later. Schoen has said repeatedly that if Jones is healthy, he will be the Giants' quarterback this year.

"I have faith in Daniel as our starting quarterback," Schoen said. "Daniel's been in there every day. He's been working hard. … He actually started throwing. He's been throwing for about two weeks stationary. Now, he's not dropping back or doing any of that stuff. So, he is on track. He's doing everything he can to get back. We're optimistic about where he is. There's some talk in the spring that he may be able to go through whether it's seven-on-seven or individual, throwing routes on air, that he'll be able to do some of that stuff. We probably won't expose him to team activities. Every patient responds differently to surgery, so, knock on wood, we haven't had any setbacks. He hasn't had any setbacks. If he continues on that pace, he should be ready for the start of training camp."

But given the inherent uncertainty regarding surgically repaired torn knee ligaments, Schoen has also been candid in saying the Giants must acquire another quarterback this offseason. Tommy DeVito is the only other quarterback the Giants have under contract. Tyrod Taylor, the top backup last season, is a free agent.

"We've had good conversations, and he understands where we are," Schoen said of Jones. "He understands that we're going to need to add at quarterback. He's coming off an injury. Tommy DeVito is under contract and Daniel, so we'll bring in either a veteran quarterback through free agency – Tyrod is in the mix there, too. We're going to talk to Tyrod's representatives this week, and Tyrod's a true pro. He has been really good for not only Daniel but Tommy DeVito and his progress throughout the year. He's a true pro. So, we'll address the position. Again, it can be through free agency, and it doesn't preclude us from doing it in the draft as well."

That includes possibly taking a quarterback with the sixth overall selection in the first round.

"Where we are at six, we're going to look at everything," Schoen said. "We're going to look at everything. We're going to look at all positions. You hope you're not up there again; you don't want to be picking in the top 10, but it's a good draft. It's a solid draft across the board, and we're going to have an opportunity to get a good player, and we're going to evaluate all the positions and take the best player we can."

It is possible that quarterbacks Caleb Williams of USC, Drake Maye of North Carolina and Jyden Daniels of LSU, the 2023 Heisman Trophy winner, could be the first three players selected.

"It's a good quarterback draft," Schoen said. "It's not just at the top. There are some guys that are mid-levels that I think will be good number twos. There are some guys that can be number threes in the draft. I think it's a solid draft all over."