If star running back Saquon Barkley shockingly used the nuclear option to secure a bigger payday in 2023, the New York Giants actually have built-in contractual protection to avoid possible postseason drama.
After months of speculation of a week where it seemed like Saquon Barkley might sit out of training camp and possibly regular season games, the New York Giants and the gifted back were able to agree this week to a revised contract.
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In the new deal, the New York native was given a $2 million signing bonus and incentives that could help his pay for this season reach all the way up to $11 million. While the adjusted pact did not help the 26-year-old avoid being slapped with the franchise tag again next spring, it at least gave him the chance to be better compensated this season.
Nevertheless, another contract dispute is looming next year. However, before then there actually may be an unusual way for Barkley to leverage his value at one of the most important times of the season.
New York Giants record (2022): 9-7-1
On Friday, Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio wrote about an interesting facet of franchise tags that often goes unexploited. If a player does not agree to a new long-term deal before the mid-July deadline — as Barkley did not do — the window to negotiate a new deal does not open until the close of the regular season. Meaning that the star running back could play the season, then when the playoffs arrive he could threaten not to suitup unless he gets the long-term contract he wants.
This is not to say that Saquon Barkley will do that, but it is an option within his rights. However, it seems that on purpose, or accident, the New York Giants have a strong built-in contractual response if the two-time Pro Bowler made such a bold leverage play.
“By paying $2 million of the $10.1 million as a signing bonus, the Giants could try to collect the $2 million if Barkley should dare to walk out after the regular season ends,” Florio writes.
A player taking this sort of step, especially one like Barkley who gave into the desire to be with his teammates this season, is pretty unlikely. Nevertheless, possibly losing $2 million may be more than enough to deter that chance if the New York Giants were able to reach the NFL playoffs for a second straight time early next year.