The New York Giants received some unfortunate news regarding Saquon Barkley’s current contract situation on Wednesday.
According to a report from Newsday’s Kim Jones, Barkley will not be signing the non-exclusive franchise tag that the Giants placed on him last month and therefore will not be eligible to participate when New York’s offseason program begins on Monday. As long as Barkley’s franchise tag remains unsigned — he has until July 17 to work out a long-term deal with the G-Men — he can’t participate in the team’s voluntary offseason program.
I’m told Saquon Barkley will not be signing the franchise tag & therefore will not be eligible to participate when the #NYG offseason program begins Monday. More to come on @NewsdaySports.
— Kim Jones (@KimJonesSports) April 12, 2023
However, Art Stapleton who covers the Giants for The Record (N.J.) mentioned that Barkley was with Giants quarterback Daniel Jones and the team’s offensive group during a training session last week in Arizona.
“This should not come as a surprise,” Stapleton wrote on Twitter. “Saquon Barkley is trying to regain some leverage in negotiations for a long-term deal with the Giants, who hold most if not all the cards. [General manager] Joe Schoen has said NYG prepared to have Barkley play on the tag worth $10.1M for 2023.”
The NFL world reacted to the huge Saquon Barkley update on social media:
Things are going to get messy. This is business. Saquon if he is going to play on the tag probably wants to limit the risk of injury as much as possible. Meaning I wouldn’t expect to show up to camp until he absolutely has to. Hopefully they work out a deal they can agree on https://t.co/VYILgCuTPx
— The Entertainah (@TheEntertainah) April 12, 2023
https://t.co/zg2B5VBPy7 pic.twitter.com/rjuqv70H9U
— Patrik [No C] Walker (@VoiceOfTheStar) April 12, 2023
Not a surprise. My guess is if the two sides don’t reach a deal by July 17 deadline, then he’ll sign the tag. https://t.co/NXCDgWj0l4
— Patricia Traina (@Patricia_Traina) April 12, 2023
We’ll see how long this holdout lasts… https://t.co/CS6GUotWj7
— Giants Daily (@NYGDaily) April 12, 2023
Saquon Barkley will NOT sign his tender before the start of OTAs per @KimJonesSports
What did you expect? His side is trying to gain any ounce of leverage. This doesn’t mean he won’t play on the tag, that’s TBD much closer to the szn.
I hope Joe Schoen holds his ground.#Giants— Dan Schneier (@DanSchneierNFL) April 12, 2023
Two years max or trade him https://t.co/maqOHBxCIh
— Ryan Garcia (In the Lab🧪) (@RyanGarciaESM) April 12, 2023
It remains to be seen how long Barkley is willing to hold out. Yes, the two sides have three months to work out a long-term extension, but the Giants do have a bit of leverage here with the 2023 NFL Draft just two weeks out and could possibly draft some insurance or Barkley’s future replacement.
[Kim Jones and Art Stapleton on Twitter]