Saquon Barkley should not be expected back with the Giants anytime soon. The franchise-tagged running back has engaged in off-and-on extension talks with the Giants since November, but the team hammered out a Daniel Jones deal prior to the tag deadline.
The Giants using the tag on Barkley with minutes to spare before last month’s deadline allowed them to retain both their quarterback and running back, but the player without the long-term contract should now be expected to stay away. Although Barkley’s $10.1MM tag salary will be locked in when he signs the tender, Newsday’s Kim Jones notes the Pro Bowl running back will not do so ahead of the team’s offseason program (Twitter link).
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Brian Daboll‘s team will convene Monday for the start of offseason workouts. Players cannot be fined for missing this stage of the offseason, though teams generally have good attendance for the non-mandatory portion of spring work. Minicamp represents the first point in which players would incur fines by not attending. Until Barkley signs his tender, he can steer clear of minicamp free of fines. It would certainly not surprise if the sixth-year back follows that path.
Franchise-tagged players regularly wait on signing their tenders, though Tony Pollard signed his $10.1MM Cowboys tag last month. Pollard can be fined for not attending Dallas’ minicamp. Barkley, Josh Jacobs, Evan Engram and Lamar Jackson are exempt from fines. The Commanders already agreed to an extension with Daron Payne, removing the sixth-year defensive tackle from the tag contingent.
The Giants offered Barkley a deal in the $12.5MM-per-year neighborhood last season and upped it to the $13MM-AAV range this offseason. While Barkley holding out for a deal on the Christian McCaffrey–Alvin Kamara deal makes sense, seeing as those contracts were agreed to back in 2020 on a lower salary cap, this year’s running back market did not do him any favors. None of this year’s free agents signed a deal that ranked in the top 10 at the position. Barkley is better than the backs who hit the market this year, but the Giants should not be considered likely to raise Barkley’s offer by much more — if at all — ahead of the July 17 deadline for tagged players to sign extensions.
It does not sound like too much urgency exists on the team’s part, with ESPN.com’s Jordan Raanan noting (via Twitter) the Giants are not overly motivated to reach an agreement right now. The Giants pulled the $13MM-AAV offer after franchise-tagging the former Offensive Rookie of the Year. Barkley, 26, attended player-organized workouts with teammates last week in Arizona, The Athletic’s Dan Duggan tweets. By not signing his tender, the injury-prone back does run the risk of seeing an injury lead to the Giants rescinding the tag. But Barkley may be attempting to stay away as a last-ditch leverage play. Though, his leverage is limited.
Seeing Barkley’s cap number reduced would benefit the Giants, however, as they have Dexter Lawrence entering a contract year as well. The Giants’ $2.3MM in cap space ranks 30th in mid-April. They will need more to sign draft choices, though restructures can help on that end as well. The team also has Leonard Williams tied to a whopping $32.3MM cap number, which can be reduced via an extension. Big Blue, which was eyeing an incentive-laden deal with now-Ravens wideout Odell Beckham Jr., will be set to carry the Barkley and Williams cap numbers to start its offseason program.
Has he seen the current state of the RB market
He should be snapping that contract before they revoke it
We said this before though and then a bunch of dumb contracts got immediately handed out.
Bet he wishes he signed that contract offer during the bye week. Had an AAV of $12.5/ year for 4 years. He’s one injury away from veterans minimum next year.
Let’s trade Barkley for Derrick Henry straight up. They are both making around $10 million (if Saquon signs the tender).
Giants should cut off extension talks until he signs his franchise tender agreement.
But they should not up there offer.
Barkley hadn’t done much other than 2 years. Has an injury history and is getting older. Can be replaced with a younger, cheaper version in the draft.
Not sure of the play Saquon is looking for. Maybe to show Giants he wants a long term deal before the deadline. If I was him, I’d sign. Given his injury history if he gets hurt training he’s S.O.L. Take the guaranteed money and bet on yourself to have a career year.