New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley expressed his indifference to the possibility of being tagged as a franchise player again and opted to skip the team’s exit interviews, stating that he’s leaving contract negotiations to his agents.
Barkley, who is set to become an unrestricted free agent in March, could be facing another franchise tag from the Giants, but he seemed unfazed by the prospect.
“I went through the whole process last year. We talked more than enough last year, to be honest. I’m gonna let my agents handle that,” Barkley mentioned, adding that the team knows how to reach him.
The Giants’ head coach, Brian Daboll, and general manager, Joe Schoen, held a season-ending news conference where they discussed various pressing issues, including Barkley’s future with the team.
Regarding the franchise tag, Schoen commented, “That’s a tool we have at our disposal. I’m not saying we will or we won’t. A lot of those conversations will be had in the next month or so.”
Despite the uncertainty, Barkley had a productive season, starting in all 14 games he played, rushing for 962 yards and six touchdowns, and contributing 41 receptions for 280 yards and four scores. He scored two touchdowns in the Giants’ final game of the season against the Philadelphia Eagles.
Reflecting on his potential departure from the team, Barkley shared, “If it is my last game playing here — if it is — it was a fun six years. Made a lot of great memories, but it’s not like the last time I’m ever playing football… If I knew that it was my last game, I probably would feel a little different, but like I said, I have no idea.”