New York Giants star running back Saquon Barkley missed an opportunity to hit NFL free agency in March after they placed the franchise tag on him.
Instead, Barkley is slated to earn $10.1 million in 2023 under said franchise tag unless the two sides come to terms on a long-term contract.
Apparently, this is not sitting well with the two-time Pro Bowl running back. According to Giants beat writer Kim Jones of Newsday, Barkley does not plan on signing his tender ahead of the team’s offseason program starting next week.
This is a clear indication that the 26-year-old Barkley is not happy about a lack of a long-term contract with New York. Whether it means he holds out during training camp or requests a trade remains to be seen.
Last season saw the former NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year bounce back from two injury-plagued campaigns to put up 1,650 total yards and 10 touchdowns at a clip of 4.7 yards per touch. Prior to that, Barkley’s future with the Giants seemed to be in question.
Related: NFL teams ‘watching’ situation between New York Giants, Saquon Barkley
Saquon Barkley contract and where we stand right now
As noted above, Barkley had the tag placed on him in March. His $10.1 million salary for the 2023 NFL season ranks eighth among running backs, joing fellow franchise-tagged players Tony Pollard and Josh Jacobs in that category.
Pollard has already signed his tender with the Cowboys. Meanwhile, Jacobs’ situation remains unsettled with the Las Vegas Raiders after he won the NFL rushing title a season ago.
As for Barkley’s situation, this comes amid another report that the Giants have no intention of signing him to a long-term contract. General manager Joe Schoen and Co. don’t want to link themseleves to a high-priced running back long term in an NFL that continues to under value this position.
- Saquon Barkley stats: 954 attempts, 4,249 rushing yards, 247 receptions, 1,820 yards, 6,069 total yards, 37 TD
Does this mean Barkley will be placed on the trade block this offseason? Perhaps. If the Giants opt to land a running back early in the 2023 NFL Draft, he could be made expendable.
Based on the numbers we noted above, the former Penn State star would have a relatively large market.
As for the Giants, their decision to ink quarterback Daniel Jones to a four-year, $160 million contract made it clear that they are looking to build around the signal call. Upcoming decisions on extensions for stud defenders Dexter Lawrence and Xavier McKinney also make it a near impossibility that New York can retain Saquon Barkley long term.