The clock is ticking on Saquon Barkley and the New York Giants.
The Giants have yet to reach a long-term contract agreement with their star running back, and the deadline is looming — the sides have until Monday, July 17 to shake hands on a new contract, or else Barkley could refuse to play when the 2023 NFL season begins in September.
Giants loath to lose Saquon
Barkley is eligible for free agency in 2024, and much of New York‘s offseason drama has centered on inking him to an extension. Barkley does not want to play under the franchise tag, which would guarantee him a $10 million salary for the upcoming season but would do nothing for his long-term security.
Although the running back market has suffered in recent years — many teams no longer spend big on the position — Barkley is one of the premier backs in the NFL. He appears to have put the 2020 knee injury firmly behind him, as he rushed for a career-high 1,312 yards last season and helped the Giants make a surprise playoff appearance.
Is there still a pathway to a deal?
Curiously, a conflicting report Thursday claimed the Giants will eventually concede and hand Barkley a new multi-year deal in the coming days — possibly before the Monday afternoon deadline.
New York would easily prefer to have a happy and healthy Barkley rather than a disgruntled back on a franchise tag, threatening to sit until his contract situation is resolved. it remains to be seen how the Giants settle this delicate situation with a player who is arguably their finest.
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