NFL insider explains how Saquon Barkley's new one-year deal impacts the New York Giants' franchise tag

Saquon Barkley and the New York Giants came to an agreement on a one-year deal with up to $11 million, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. 

ESPN’s Adam Schefter revealed some incentives with the deal, which is worth up to $1 million. But it impacts the Giants’ ability to utilize the franchise tag.

Barkley wanted a way where he’d avoid the franchise tag situation again, but that didn’t happen per Schefter.

“While Saquon Barkley did get $1 million worth of incentives added to his deal, Saquon Barkley did not get a ‘no franchise tag”’clause, meaning the Giants can tag him again after this season, per source,” Schefter wrote on Twitter.

As for why Barkley signed that deal, which guarantees $10.1 million, ESPN’s Jordan Raanan explained.

“Yeah, this has been a work in progress,” Raanan said on Get Up. “They’ve been talking about this and I know it’s a rare thing, we don’t usually see players agreed to deals (once that deadline passes). But it is a rule that’s out there, they can sign one-year deal. So what Saquon Barkley gets here in this deal is he gets into additional potential $1 million and incentives. He gets $2 million upfront in his signing bonus. So that’s kind of the concession that’s made.”

Saquon Barkley signs new deal, but Giants could use tag in 2024

After threatening to hold out, maybe even the entire season, Barkley ended up being in the building right away with a new deal. All focus is on the season ahead.

“But what stands out to me here is that Saquon Barkley wanted to be at training camp on day one, right,” Raanan said. “He could have strung this along but he’s in the building behind me right now. It was before eight o’clock in the morning. He’s there on day one report day of training camp. This is a player Greeny, I think it’s very important to remember this, he’s very careful about his image and his reputation. It means a lot to him. Right?

“He has killed himself the whole time since he joined the Giants in being a team first guy. I’m being a guy who only cares about winning like that’s the top priority, being the greatest player of all time, and winning. And that is why I believe we are at this point right now.”

Last season for the Giants, Barkley had 1,312 rushing yards and an additional 338 receiving yards. He was on a $7.2 million extension off of his rookie contract, which was for four years, $31.19 million.

As a rookie, he had 1,307 rushing yards, 721 receiving yards and 15 total touchdowns. It earned him Offensive Rookie of the Year for 2018.