Giants coach Brian Daboll refuses to comment on contract negotiations with Saquon Barkley

Brian Daboll must’ve practiced his response to those nagging Saquon Barkley questions. The Giants coach knew he’d be getting the queries. But on Thursday, his lips remained sealed.

Knowing there’s a no comment coming doesn’t stop reporters from asking the question. Barkley, the Giants star, isn’t participating in OTAs. He very likely won’t attend mandatory mini camp next month. It’s all because he hasn’t signed his franchise tag agreement.

“I’m not going to get into any talk about contracts — what could happen, what could not happen — out of respect to the situation,” Brian Daboll said of Saquon Barkley.

The star running back wants a long-term agreement from the Giants. But there’s been a freeze in the negotiations. The next benchmark is July 17. If the Giants and Barkley don’t agree to a long-term deal by then, Barkley isn’t allowed to sign a multi-year contract until Jan. 7, 2024, the end of the NFL regular season.

Brian Daboll probably hoping Saquon Barkley shows up soon

After signing quarterback Daniel Jones to a big contract worth $40 million a year, the Giants put the franchise tag on Barkley with an offer of $10.091 million. By doing that, Giants management ended ongoing negotiations with the No. 2 pick of the 2018 draft. The team had gone as high as $13 million per year with a chance to hit $14 million. But that offer now is off the table. Last fall, the Giants offered $12.5 million.

The franchise tag wouldn’t put Barkley among the highest paid NFL backs. Who are they?

1. Christian McCaffrey $16 million 49ers

2, Alvin Kamara $15 million Saints

3. Dalvin Cook $12.6 million Vikings

4. Derrick Henry $12.5 million Titans

5. Nick Chubb $12.2 million Browns

Spotrac estimated that Barkley’s market value is $12.2 million a year. That still keeps him out of the top five. In 2022, Barkley proved his worth by rushing for a career high 1,312 yards with 10 touchdowns. He also caught 57 passes for 338 yards while playing in 16 of 17 regular season games. He opened his career with consecutive 1,000-yard seasons only to see injuries thwart his production. 

John Mara, the Giants co-owner, says the team stays on message with Barkley. And it’s a positive one.

“Our message to him is still very much, ‘We want you back, want you to be one of the leaders of this team, want you to be one of the faces of this franchise,'” Mara told reporters earlier this spring. “But there’s a limit as to how far we can go. We have to build a team around you. We’ve gone just about as far as we can.”

So no wonder Brian Daboll wouldn’t say much about Saquon Barkley and the contract.