Ian Rapoport offers latest on Saquon Barkley, Josh Jacobs franchise tag situation

Two of the best young running backs in the league are eligible for long-term deals — but neither Saquon Barkley nor Josh Jacobs has one as we approach spring training camp.

NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport revealed the latest that he has heard on the New York Giants star, who was rumored to be in negotiation with the franchise for a massive extension throughout the 2022 season. Barkley has not signed the team’s franchise tag offer that he was given last month, which means he is unable to participate in Giants’ offseason workouts.

“Saquon Barkley still wants a long-term deal despite the fact that they did have long-term extension negotiations before Daniel Jones signed. That deal is no longer on the table, no longer available,” Rapoport said on NFL Total Access. “It is one of the reasons that it’s not a surprise that Saquon is not there [at voluntary offseason workouts]. Still expected to play this season, still expect him to be fine but do not expect him at voluntary workouts.”

Last season for the Giants, Barkley had 1,312 rushing yards and an additional 338 receiving yards and is a piece that New York can’t afford to lose after locking up Jones to his own long-term deal.

Jacobs, who will enter his fifth season with the Las Vegas Raiders this season, similarly has not signed the franchise tag that was offered him by the team. He had 1,653 rushing yards and 12 rushing touchdowns over the 2022 season, and believes he is deserving of a big extension.

“It’s a similar deal with Josh Jacobs and the Las Vegas Raiders. It did not seem like their long-term extension was as extensive as that of the Giants and Saquon Barkley, but he has not signed his tag, not there at voluntary workouts,” Rapoport said. “It’s not a hold-out, it can be fine, but he does not have a contract.”

Jacobs, a former Alabama star, has made an immediate impact on the Raiders since he was drafted by the team No. 24 overall in the 2019 NFL draft. The former Crimson Tide star would pass the 1,000-yard mark in three out of his four NFL seasons thus far, including leading the league in rushing this past year.

Barkley and Jacobs join Jacksonville Jaguars tight end Evan Engram and Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson as the four players currently holding out on signing their respective franchise tags.

Jacobs’ franchise tag salary is at $10.1 million, while Barkley’s is slight ahead and would make $10.09 million when he signs. Engram is expected to make $11.345 million in 2023 on the franchise tag and Jackson’s tag will cost the Ravens $32.4 million.

July 17 is the deadline for teams and franchise-tagged players to sign a multi-year contract extension.