It is unclear how the New York Giants will resolve their ongoing drama with Pro Bowl running back Saquon Barkley, however, a team insider recently suggested a logical way to squash the issues between the two sides sooner than later.
For the most part, the New York Giants have had a very productive offseason. Their two primary goals were to make sure quarterback Daniel Jones and running back Saquon Barkley were both back on the roster in 2023. As of April, it seemed like those missions were accomplished.
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The teams came to terms on a long-term extension to make Daniel Jones one of the best-paid signal callers in the sport, while the organization slapped their lone franchise tag on the two-time Pro Bowl back. After a couple of other notable additions last month, all seemed well in New York Giants-land heading into the 2023 NFL Draft.
Unfortunately for Big Blue, that all changed late last month when it was revealed that Barkley had yet to sign his franchise tender and was not at all happy about playing on a franchise tag next season. The 26-year-old was hoping to test his value on the open market but was blocked from that with the tag.
New York Giants record (2022): 9-7-1
However, it was a bed Saquon Barkley partially made for himself by turning down two different extension offers from the New York Giants last season that ended up being much higher than what he was likely to make in a sharply declining running back market this spring.
On Saturday, New York Giants insider Bob Brookover revealed that Barkley allegedly first turned down a $12.5 million offer that was then increased to $13 with a chance to be as much as $14 million with incentives. But with Miles Sanders — the top back on the 2023 free agent market — making nearly half of that average amount in his deal with the Carolina Panthers, the Giants are unlikely to bring that same offer back to the table.
From Barkley’s point of view, it is understandable to be frustrated to play on another one-year deal after doing that last season, and he wants the long-term deal he feels he’s earned. With the two sides having strong stances on their future together, Brookover suggested an option that might keep everyone happy and Barkley in camp this summer and not holding out.
“If Barkley believes he is worth more than the Giants have offered and are willing to offer, then the best way to find out is to bet on himself. The best way to do that might be to negotiate a deal that says the Giants won’t tag him again next season if he plays this season under the tag.”
-Bob Brookover
NFL teams are allowed to use their tag on the same player in consecutive years. Guaranteeing that won’t happen again in 2024, might be a way to make sure Barkley is in camp and comes to terms with playing on a one-year deal but for better-than-average money.