RB Saquon Barkley On Uncertainty Regarding Contract With Giants: “We still have time”

The New York Giants’ offseason story involving Saquon Barkley is taking on a completely new facet. The running back will be forced to play the 2023 season with the $10.1 million franchise tag if he and the team are unable to come to a long-term agreement by July 17.

RB Saquon Barkley On Uncertainty Regarding Contract With Giants: ” We still have time”

Barkley was given the franchise tag by the Giants, but as of right now, he has chosen not to sign it. After giving quarterback Daniel Jones a contract deal for $160 million (£130 million) over four years with the NFC East squad, this choice was made.

Barkley stated his intention to remain with the Giants for the duration of his NFL career despite having not signed his franchise tender and looking like he could skip this week’s required minicamp.

When questioned on Sunday during a children football session in front of a crowd of media, Barkley didn’t completely rule out not playing the entire season.

“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.

“We’ll see what’s the best plan for me to do.”

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.”

But Barkley, who rushed for 1,312 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2022 and will enter 2023 at 26 years old, also expressed frustration over reports that he said didn’t accurately reflect the contract negotiations and made him appear “greedy.”

“There’s a lot of stuff that I can go into, but I feel like that we say family business is family business in that facility, in that building, and I’m gonna stick to that,” Barkley said.

“The thing that I’m frustrated most about is, like how I said, family business is family business, and then sources come out and stories get leaked. It didn’t come from me,” Barkley later added.

“I think they’re open to talking,” Barkley said of the Giants. “I think I’m open to talking. But I think at the end of the day, when you really break it down and look at it as a whole, it’s no rush. There’s no rush. We still have time. … July 17 is not tomorrow. It’s not in a week. We still have time, and that’s how I look at it.”

Barkley is coming off a comeback season after two seasons marred by injuries. He rushed for 1,312 yards and 10 touchdowns on a career-high 295 attempts, earning him his second Pro Bowl berth and his first since his rookie year.

The 26-year-old will not attend this week’s Giants required minicamp because he has not accepted the $10.1 million franchise tag. Even though Barkley won’t be there, his influence will be felt nonetheless. Coaches and players will undoubtedly question about Barkley’s condition, value to the squad, and their opinions on the back sitting out the season.

 

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