Getty Image / Cooper Neill
Saquon Barkley is one of the most electrifying players in the league when he is healthy. The New York Giants running back can create highlights like arguably no other player in the league.
After two injury-plagued seasons, the fifth-year running back returned to form in 2022. He had over 1300 yards on the ground and over 300 through the air as he was the key cog on offense for a Giants team that surprised everyone by making the playoffs and winning in the Wild Card Round against the Minnesota Vikings.
Saquon Barkley 2022 Highlights. @saquon #TogetherBlue pic.twitter.com/wVaLhy8TdJ
— GiantStats (@nygiantstats) January 23, 2023
Saquon Barkley was going to be a free agent this offseason, but was given the franchise tag by the Giants. That will pay him only $10.1 million this year, and that’s what he will earn if they don’t come to a contract extension by July 17. Of course, he’d like to work out a longer-term deal with some guaranteed money. But, the team and the running back haven’t been able to come to an agreement.
In new comments Sunday, Saquon Barkley hinted that a holdout was possible. Here is the New York Post with more details.
On Sunday, surrounded by a group of reporters following a youth football camp he coordinated for 150 kids in Jersey City, Barkley didn’t rule out a holdout into the season — if it comes to that.
He said he’ll make that decision if the scenario arises and hasn’t thought about it yet.
“For me, it’s like we got until July 17,” Barkley said. “They can say what they want. We can say what we want. … Just one day at a time. One day at a time. Now, that day comes up and I have to sit down and have that conversation, then I will sit down and have that conversation.
If Barkley were to sign his tender and play on the one-year franchise tag, he would make $10.1 million, which is a lower number compared to other positions — especially other skill positions. The Post’s Paul Schwartz reported that Barkley has, at different points during and immediately following the season, turned down offers worth $13 million and $12.5 million annually.
Barkley sounded uncertain, though, when asked about his optimism for a deal getting done by July 17. He paused for about five seconds when asked, before responding: “I don’t know really. I don’t know.”
The Giants need to pay that man.