Giants insider shares state of Saquon Barkley's contract talks with team

The Giants remain in negotiations over a potential Saquon Barkley contract, with the star running back missing from the team’s offseason workouts as he waits on a new deal.

New York placed the franchise tag on Barkley, giving him until July 17 to iron out a new deal with the Giants in order to avoid playing under the tag in 2023. So far, the two sides are at a bit of a standstill.

ESPN’s Jordan Raanan provided an update on Get Up on Wednesday morning.

“You could tell Brian Daboll would have rather been anywhere else rather than answering those questions at the podium yesterday at that moment, because when I talk to people from both sides the impression I’m coming away with is neither side is especially happy with where the negotiations have gone in the past eight plus months,” Raanan said.

“Now there is hope that by the July 17 deadline that they make progress. But we have to remember the Giants have Barkley on the $10.1 million franchise tag. That’s always been a plan that has been on their radar. They’re not especially unhappy if that’s the way they have to go in this situation.”

For New York, the appeal of having Barkley play under the franchise tag is lowering the salary demands for the organization in the short term. However, it also increases the likelihood that Barkley could leave in the future.

That’s obviously something New York would like to avoid, especially with Barkley coming off a monster season. A new Saquon Barkley contract would lock him in long term.

In 2022, Barkley totaled 1,312 yards and 10 touchdowns rushing, while also adding 57 catches for 338 yards. He was a versatile threat, continuing to excel in all areas of the game.

Naturally, Barkley wants to be compensated appropriately.

“Saquon talked about this being about respect, and he said some of the things that were out there were misleading,” Raanan said. “Now what he’s talking about is the offers that he turned down, big money, and he’s being greedy in this situation. What he’s talking about in particular is the guaranteed money.

“When you’re franchised at $10.1 million, you could get franchised again the next year at 120%, that’s $12.1 million. So you’re talking $22.2 million over the next two years. If the offer does not include that guaranteed money it’s generally an offer that the player’s not going to look at favorably, that he won’t even consider. So that appears to be a sticking point in this situation, is that guaranteed money. That’s really all players care about when it comes to their contracts.”

Whether New York can iron out any kinks and get a Saquon Barkley contract hammered out before the July 17 deadline remains to be seen, with both parties still taking their time.