Last month, the Giants placed the non-exclusive franchise tag on running back Saquon Barkley, seemingly putting an end to his 2023 contract situation. On Wednesday, Giants beat writer Kim Jones reporting negotiations are far from over.
Jones reported Barkley “does not plan to sign his franchise tender” before the team begins its voluntary off-season program next week. The tag would pay him $10.1 million this season. Per Over the Cap, that would put him in a tie at No. 8 among the highest-paid running backs next season.
The Giants’ mandatory minicamp is set for June 13-15, so there’s still time for the two sides to agree to a long-term deal before this becomes a major concern. However, the clock is ticking with only two months to go before that date.
That being said, Barkley wouldn’t be the first player to miss a mandatory training camp due to a contract dispute. A more important date to look out for is July 17, the last official date the team can try to work out a deal before Barkley would have to play under the tag.
We’re a far way away from this turning into as disastrous a situation as the Le’Veon Bell-Pittsburgh Steelers debacle five years ago. In 2018, Bell and the Steelers couldn’t agree to terms on a long-term deal and Bell refused to play on a one-year deal and risk his potential future earnings. He missed that season and signed with the Jets during the 2019 offseason for more guaranteed money.
Barkley had career-highs in rush attempts (295) and yards (1,312) a season ago and finished third in voting for Associated Press Comeback Player of the Year after playing in only 15 of a possible 33 regular season games between 2020 and 2021. The Giants reached the divisional round of the playoffs where they fell to NFC East rival and eventual conference champion Philadelphia Eagles.
Earlier this offseason, the Giants spent big ($160 million over four years) to commit to QB Daniel Jones and will need to fork over more money to keep its 2022 playoff backfield intact. Per OTC, the Giants are 30th in salary cap space at roughly $2.3 million under the cap.
