The New York Giants made the decision last month to give quarterback Daniel Jones a contract extension and running back Saquon Barkley the franchise tag.
That decision apparently did not sit well with Barkley, 26, who has not signed the franchise tag and is therefore not participating in the team’s offseason workouts.
Barkley, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, played under the fifth-year option of his rookie contract in 2022 and is seeking a long-term deal.
Prior to getting his extension, Jones was set to play under the fifth-year option of his rookie deal in 2023; he was the No. 6 overall pick of the 2019 NFL Draft.
What Giants GM Joe Schoen Said About Barkley
Schoen was clear that there are no ongoing negotiations between Barkley and the Giants.
When asked if he expected Barkley to be playing for the Giants in Week 1, Schoen said:
“You have to ask to him.”
Schoen admitted that he has not spoken with Barkley.
Dexter Lawrence Is A Higher Priority
Schoen had a lot more to say about nose tackle Dexter Lawrence’s contract situation.
Lawrence was the No. 17 overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft.
He is slated to play on his fifth-year option in 2023, but negotiations are ongoing to get an extension done before the season.
Joe Schoen
"Nothing's changed since we talked at the owners' meetings" on Saquon Barkley.
"Dialogue's good there" with Dexter Lawrence and his reps
— Art Stapleton (@art_stapleton) April 20, 2023
Schoen’s tone and demeanor were completely different as he spoke about Lawrence.
Joe Schoen says nothing has changed with Saquon Barkley since the owner meetings pic.twitter.com/DUDS32Nu0n
— Talkin’ Giants (@TalkinGiants) April 20, 2023
Running Back Market Is A Mess
Saquon Barkley does not have much leverage because the NFL running back market is in shambles.
Big names are currently not signed with teams.
Two former NFL rushing leaders are free agents: Ezekiel Elliott, the ex-Dallas Cowboy, and Kareem Hunt, formerly of the Cleveland Browns.
Both are 27 years old.
The current NFL rushing leader, Josh Jacobs, 25, has not signed his franchise tag either.
After the Raiders chose not to exercise his fifth-year option in 2022, he won the rushing title and still cannot get a long-term deal.
Among franchise tagged players, Tony Pollard has signed his tag. Josh Jacobs, Lamar Jackson, Saquon Barkley and Evan Engram have not. No signed contract = no offseason program. https://t.co/MEYejTBrzs
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 12, 2023
It is really hard to predict if and when the running back market stabilizes, and how it affects Barkley.
The NFL Draft provides a new batch of talent each year, and the career of an NFL running back is becoming shorter than ever.
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