Getty Image / Tim Nwachukwu
This offseason, the New York Giants gave made moves to ensure that some of their most important pieces will be part of the organization for years to come.
The first was quarterback Daniel Jones, who signed a 4-year deal that will earn him $160 million back in March.
The next move came much more recently as the Giants signed defensive lineman Dexter Lawrence to a 4-year, $90 million deal just a few days ago.
While those players have locked down long-term commitments from the Giants, there is one notable player that hasn’t been able to get the same from East Rutherford’s most successful franchise.
After agreeing to a deal with Jones, the Giants decided to use the franchise tag to keep Saquon Barkley around for another year while also discussing a potential longer deal.
Two months later, that longer deal hasn’t come and Barkley didn’t sign the franchise tag before the start of the Giants’ offseason program.
Now it is starting to look like the longer deal may never actually come.
According to Fox Sports’ Ralph Vacchiano, the Giants seem unlikely to increase their offer much, which means a deal won’t happen unless Barkley lowers his price.
What's the Giants' long-term plan with Saquon Barkley? And do they now have a contingency plan in place? … https://t.co/uSye4KsK6p pic.twitter.com/8OnPuOwLdl
— Ralph Vacchiano (@RalphVacchiano) May 9, 2023
“The reality is that, with the franchise tag as leverage, the Giants seem unlikely to increase their offer by much, if at all, which means a deal will only be possible if the unhappy Barkley’s asking price comes down,” Vacchiano said.
Unfortunately for Saquon, this negotiation is coming at a time that the open market is not all that friendly for running backs in the NFL.
Austin Ekeler is looking for a new deal too, hasn’t gotten one from the Chargers, and couldn’t find a team that wanted to trade for him.
The Vikings also haven’t been able to trade Dalvin Cook and there have been no big running back contract given out this offseason.
With all of that working against him, it looks like Saquon Barkley is going to end up playing for the New York Giants on the franchise tag in 2023.