Raj Mehta - USA Today Sports
The New York Giants’ refusal to pay Saquon Barkley what he was worth ended up coming back to bite them in the worst way in the 2024 season. His first season in Philadelphia was one of the best seasons in NFL history for a running back, as he set the all-time rushing record for a season, combining the regular season and playoffs.
When you look back on the contract negotiation saga between the New York Giants and the Saquon Barkley, it looks pretty bad for the Giants, as he was clearly worth a big contract. And, it looks even worse after they just paid Darius Slayton a significant contract.
Barkley, who was the second-overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, did battle injuries at times in New York. But, he was, by far, their best player in his six seasons in blue. After playing on the franchise tag in 2023 when the two sides couldn’t work out an extension, he was allowed to hit free agency in 2024. Famously, New York Giants owner John Mara was caught on camera saying he’d lose sleep if Saquon Barkley went to the Eagles. That’s what he did, signing a three-year, $38 million deal with roughly two-thirds of that guaranteed. He recently got a big-money extension following his great season, but that’s all it took to sign the 2024 NFL Offensive Player of the Year.
The Giants repeatedly balked at that price. But, today, they paid Darius Slayton $36 million over three years. Slayton is a fine player, an average WR3, but nothing more. That’s basically the same contract they wouldn’t give a far superior player in Saquon Barkley, though!
“Joe Schoen gave more money to Darius Slayton than he offered Saquon Barkley,” one Twitter user said.
“So we can pay Darius Slayton 12 Million but we can’t pay Saquon 13M?” another Twitter user said.
It seems clear that there is no real plan from GM Joe Schoen when it comes to rebuilding the Giants.