With the recent passing of Monday’s contract extension deadline, Saquon Barkley and the New York Giants find themselves at a crossroads. Despite the optimistic adage that “deadlines make deals,” the star running back may not be gracing the Giants’ backfield in the upcoming 2023 season.
Under the guidelines of the NFL’s Collective Bargaining Agreement, teams had until 4:00 p.m. Eastern on Monday afternoon to secure contract extensions with players under the franchise tag. Unfortunately, no agreement was reached, and discussions on a new deal are prohibited until the conclusion of the 2023 season.
Now that the deadline has come and gone without a resolution, what comes next?
It is quite possible that this issue may persist into training camp and beyond. Barkley has made it clear that being tagged is undesirable for him, even considering the possibility of sitting out not just training camp but also Week 1 against the Dallas Cowboys.
Nevertheless, Barkley should carefully evaluate the financial implications that accompany his choices. For each game missed, he would forfeit a portion of his salary cap number ($10.091 million), amounting to nearly $594,000 per game.
Should this situation extend beyond Week 10, Barkley would be unable to participate in any games during the 2023 season—a significant decision with long-term ramifications.
Furthermore, if Barkley elects to sit out the entire 2023 season, it raises doubts about whether the Giants would utilize the franchise tag for the 2024 campaign. Art Stapleton, a reputable Giants reporter, suggests that the Giants might be prepared to build their offense without Barkley. Despite their desire to retain him, they must consider alternative approaches to the 2024 season.
Considering that the Giants recently invested over $240 million in contracts for key players such as Daniel Jones and Dexter Lawrence, they are likely to make a significant monetary commitment to Andrew Thomas, potentially resetting the market for offensive tackles. The Giants’ stance on Barkley’s contract situation should not be misconstrued as a failure to take care of their own; rather, it reflects practical considerations based on market conditions, position value, and the franchise tag.
Barkley played a crucial role in the Giants’ offense last season, both as a rusher and a pass-catcher. He amassed an impressive 1,312 rushing yards and ten touchdowns, while also leading the team in receiving targets with 76, hauling in 57 receptions for an additional 338 yards.
It is important to note that Barkley isn’t the only running back in a similar predicament. Josh Jacobs of the Las Vegas Raiders and Tony Pollard of the Dallas Cowboys also face the franchise tag without a new deal.
According to Adam Schefter, the last running back in a comparable situation who secured a new contract was Nick Chubb with the Cleveland Browns in 2021. The NFL’s perception of running backs has evolved significantly in recent years, with the position being undervalued due to factors such as the emphasis on passing, the history of injuries, and the dependency on scheme and offensive line proficiency.
However, Barkley’s exceptional prowess in the passing game adds complexity to his situation. Despite this, it seems that his contributions were insufficient to bridge the gap in contract negotiations.
Now, all parties involved can only wait to see when—or if—these running backs will report to camp.
As the saga surrounding Saquon Barkley and the Giants continues to unfold, uncertainty looms. Will the Giants find a way to retain their star running back, or will they be forced to reshape their offense in his absence? Only time will tell the fate that awaits Barkley and his future with the Giants.
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