RB’s Saquon Barkley, Josh Jacobs & Tony Pollard Failed To Sign A Contract Extention, Yet Not Underpaid As Of Now
There were no significant developments regarding new, long-term contracts for the three remaining franchise-tagged players, a trio of Pro Bowl running backs: Josh Jacobs of the Las Vegas Raiders, Saquon Barkley of the New York Giants, and Tony Pollard of the Dallas Cowboys, at the NFL’s 4 p.m. ET franchise tag deadline on Monday.
RB’s Saquon Barkley, Josh Jacobs & Tony Pollard Failed To Sign A Contract Extension, Yet Not Underpaid As Of Now
They are all still franchise-tagged running backs without long-term extensions after Monday’s deadline passed with no deals done.
Jaguars of Jacksonville tight One of the winners of the deadline was Evan Engram, who inked a three-year, $41.25 million deal with his team that includes a $24 million fully guaranteed bonus.
The #Giants and Pro Bowl RB Saquon Barkley will not reach a contract extension before today’s deadline, sources tell me, @RapSheet and @MikeGarafolo.
Barkley has not yet signed his franchise tender, which would pay him $10.091 million in 2023. pic.twitter.com/X7VTI9B2a7
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) July 17, 2023
However, they are by no means underpaid in the near term with their one-year tenders, which are set up for $10.091 million in guaranteed income for 2023.
There are no doubts that Pollard will play for the Cowboys this year because he already signed his tender with the organization.
Giants up Saquon Barkley’s guaranteed offer with contract deadline close
The Giants upped their contract offer to Saquon Barkley. Sort of. After Barkley previously turned down a multi-year extension worth $13 million per year with only $19.5 million guaranteed, as first rep… pic.twitter.com/81jWYCpRwK— Let's Talk About Dis Shidd (@MrsBarnesII) July 17, 2023
However, Barkley and Jacobs have not yet signed theirs and are debating staying out of camp.
Josh Jacobs, a running back with the Las Vegas Raiders, was named to the NFL’s First Team All-Pro in 2022 after setting league records for both rushing yards (1,653) and scrimmage yards (2,053) at the age of 24.
Jacobs, selected by the Raiders with the 27th overall choice in the 2019 NFL Draft, earned slightly under $12 million throughout his first four seasons.
PRETTY CRAZY: Josh Jacobs was so close to signing an extension with the #Raiders that he was sitting in a car in the parking lot of the team facility with his teammate Maxx Crosby waiting at the deadline, ready to sign the contract if it got done between the team and his agents,… pic.twitter.com/qQ4rBHfjr1
— MLFootball (@_MLFootball) July 18, 2023
With Saquon Barkley serving as the focal point of 2022 NFL Coach of the Year Brian Daboll’s attack, the New York Giants running back racked up 1,312 rushing yards last season, a career record and the most by a Giants player since Tiki Barber had 1,662 in 2006.
Before earning $7.2 million for his fifth NFL season, Barkley, the Giants’ No. 2 overall choice in 2018, began his career with a four-year, $31.2 million fully guaranteed contract.
The #Raiders and NFL rushing champ Josh Jacobs will not reach agreement on a contract extension before today’s deadline, sources tell me and @RapSheet.
Jacobs hasn’t signed the $10.091M tender, so he’s not required to report to camp, and his status is now up in the air. pic.twitter.com/3Sj9aYZji9
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) July 17, 2023
Tony Pollard, a running back for the Dallas Cowboys, had the most scrimmage yards per touch (5.9) among NFL players with at least 200 touches in the previous season since Herschel Walker’s 6.0 back in 1987.
Pollard, a fourth-round selection in the 2019 draft who earned less than $1 million during his breakout season in 2022, is now making more than ten times what he was paid before. It’s simpler to play with a one-year tag in his situation.
#Cowboys VP Stephen Jones on why hasnt there been contract extension talks with Tony Pollard: There are some things as we move forward that we just have to take a look at in terms of that RB position and the cap… But the goal is to have Tony Pollard back here next year. ✭ pic.twitter.com/UQ66wznxOk
— The Cowboys Network (@TheCowboysNet) August 7, 2022
With an average yearly value of $10.091 million for 2023, Barkley, Jacobs, and Pollard tie for seventh place in the running back position.
Given their achievements, one could anticipate that Barkley and Jacobs would be able to demand more and that clubs would value them more. However, the law of supply and demand works against running backs in both situations, since one strong season does not justify a large contract for a seasoned player who logs a lot of miles.
Dallas #Cowboys RB Tony Pollard will play on the franchise tag after not much movement on a long term contract extension. The tag is worth $10.1M this season. #NFL pic.twitter.com/hNONsJCgD6
— Justin Time Sports (@JTIMESPORTS) July 17, 2023
Christian McCaffrey of the San Francisco 49ers, who leads the NFL in rushing and has the highest average annual salary of any running back at $16 million, referred to Jacobs, Barkley, and Pollard’s lack of agreements on Monday as “criminal.”
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