Saquon Barkley could be playing in his final game with the Giants this weekend, as the star running back is set to hit unrestricted free agency. While Barkley has continually stated a desire to stick with the Giants, the running back admitted that he could be eyeing a “fresh start” elsewhere.
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“[Does] a fresh start cross my mind? I guess anybody, when you look at how the season went, I feel like everybody would want a fresh start somewhere else, just a clean slate,” Barkley said (via Dan Martin of the New York Post). “But that’s how I look at it. If I did hit the open market, hey, that’s God’s plan to go to another team and continue to build a legacy for myself.”
Following failed extension negotiations during the 2022 campaign, the Giants front office briefly shopped Barkley before slapping him with the franchise tag, locking the RB to a $10.1MM salary for the 2023 campaign while also buying the organization some time. The two sides continued to negotiate until the extension deadline but couldn’t agree to a new deal, putting Barkley’s future with the organization in doubt.
We heard back in November that the Giants and Barkley were interested in a multiyear extension when they could resume talks in January. Barkley told reporters today that he’d still be open to negotiating with the Giants before he even hits free agency.
“I’m still as open as I was before,” he said. “I just want something that’s fair [and] that makes sense. I think I was open and honest about that last year. I still stick by that. But I get it. It’s a business. Hopefully, if it’s not here, it’s some other place.”
Since negotiations stalled, star RB Jonathan Taylor inked a manageable three-year, $42MM deal (including $26.5MM guaranteed) with the Colts. In the meantime, Barkley has battled through a lingering high ankle sprain. Considering the developments, it’s unlikely the Giants would be willing to budge on their previous valuation, and the front office could also choose to buy another year via the franchise tag. Barkley seemed to hint that the ball was in the front office’s court, perhaps a hint that the two sides might struggle to find common ground.
“I’ve mentioned before, I want to be a Giant for life,” Barkley said. “That was a goal of mine when I got drafted. I wanted to leave a legacy here. It’s out of my control. I have no say. It’s up to those guys upstairs, Joe [Schoen, the GM] and those guys. They’ve got to do what’s best for the team, whatever they feel like is best for the team. They’ll make a decision. Me saying ‘I want to be a Giant for life’ like I did last year, it doesn’t help or it doesn’t hurt, so I’ll leave it to those guys.”
Dude, run as fast as you can
If he did that giants probably win a few more games this year!
Stop talking about leaving a legacy and go do it. Nobody gives a crap about your legacy….people care about production, wins and money. If leaving a legacy is what matters to you, then do something about it. Times ticking dude and so far your legacy is injuries and inconsistency.
The Giants are gonna miss him when he’s gone thanks to all the money tied up in Daniel Jones.
His best bet is to sign a 1-2 year with a possible top team.
These guys just need to stop talking. Saquon is in an alternate universe. Yes, they only have a few years to make serious money, and while I’m sure that’s true, that just doesn’t play for most people. And “legacy” talk just comes off as ego. Just play, man.
Giants don’t even appreciate him. If anything he would be a solid fit for the titans if Henry walks away from them. I could also see him in dual back roles with the Ravens, Bills, or Chargers(if they move off from ekeler)
I can’t see him getting a big deal elsewhere. Look at Dalvin Cook or Austin Ekeler. Unless you’re CMAC or Derrick Henry (who himself is slowing down), teams don’t tie up a lot of money in RBs anymore. Barkley’s a notch below them and with his injury history, he’s not going to get a big deal.
He should have taken the deal the Giants offered last year. If the Giants offer him a multi year deal this offseason, he should jump on it.
I think 3 years 39 million with 24 million guaranteed is more than fair.