Tick tock. Tick tock.
The New York Giants and superstar running back Saquon Barkley are rapidly approaching a critical deadline to reach a long-term contract agreement.
According to reports, Barkley’s availability for Week 1 hangs in the balance if a deal isn’t finalized by Monday.
Both Barkley and the Giants have until 4 p.m. ET on Monday to hammer out an agreement. Failure to do so would mean Barkley cannot be re-signed until after the conclusion of the 2023 season.
As the deadline looms, sources reveal that the two parties remain deadlocked in their negotiations.
Barkley, who finished fourth in the NFL last season with 1,312 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns, is an integral part of the Giants offense.
The talented running back also tied for the team lead with 57 receptions, showcasing his versatility. Since being drafted as the second overall pick in 2018, Barkley has consistently been a force on the field, while also being a respected leader in the locker room.
The franchise tag, which carries a salary of $10.1 million for this season, is not a desirable option for Barkley.
In a previous statement made at his Athletes Making Progress Together football camp last month, Barkley hinted at the possibility of sitting out if a long-term deal is not secured by July 17.
However, he also mentioned that he had not given the matter significant thought at the time.
The ongoing contract negotiations have evidently left Barkley dissatisfied and frustrated. Addressing the situation, Barkley expressed his displeasure with the way the news has been portrayed, calling it “misleading” and “untruthful.”
“Me getting tagged, was I upset about it? Nobody wants to get tagged,” Barkley stated last month. “To sit here and say I was frustrated, I was mad, I was upset, what really got me upset was the stories that got leaked out, how misleading they were and how untruthful they were.”
Barkley has come to realize that negotiating a new contract is a stark reminder of the business aspect of professional football.
Despite the challenges, there’s still time for the Giants and Barkley to find common ground and secure a deal. Failure to do so would force Barkley into making a significant decision.
The last player to sit out an entire season due to contract disputes was running back Le’Veon Bell in 2018. However, Bell’s decision turned out to be a disaster, as he struggled to regain his form after signing with the New York Jets the following season.
As the clock ticks down, all eyes are on Barkley and the Giants, waiting to see if they can bridge the divide and secure the long-term future of one of the league’s brightest stars.
We all know the running back position has become increasingly devalued through the years.
What type of contract do you feel Barkley is worth?
Should General Manager Joe Schoen and the Giants be prepared to move on from the ultra-popular Barkley?