Saquon Barkley skipping Giants mandatory minicamp amid contract dispute
The drama between the New York Giants and Saquon Barkley continues. The running back confirmed that he won’t attend the team’s mandatory minicamp this week, according to a report from ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Earlier this offseason, the Giants placed a non-exclusive franchise tag on Barkley. That deal would land Barkley approximately $10 million next season. Contract negotiations were expected to continue past the 2023 NFL Draft, but no agreement has been reached.
Barkley said he just wants a deal worthy of his contributions.
“As I have previously stated, I’m not looking to set any contract records,” Barkley said, per Schefter’s tweet. “I’m not demanding to be the highest paid player at my position. I understand the market. My goal is just to be compensated respectfully based on my contributions to the team on the field and in the locker room.
“I’ve been in talks with the Giants throughout the offseason. If at some point there’s a deal that is fair to both sides on the table, I’ll be ready to sign.”
Barkley made the comments following the Saquon Barkley Youth Football Camp in New Jersey.
There’s still a lot of time between now and the start of the 2023 season for a deal to be reached between the two parties. The longer this drags on, the more nervous Giants fans are probably getting, though.
Saquon Barkley has spent all five NFL years with Giants
Barkley just completed his fifth year in the NFL in 2022, spending all of it with the Giants. He’s also fresh off a Pro Bowl appearance, too.
Last season, Barkley rushed for 1,312 yards and 10 touchdowns, helping lead New York to the postseason. He also hauled in 57 passes for 338 yards.
Barkley has played in 60 games over the course of his career, missing nearly all of the 2020 campaign due to a knee injury. He suffered the injury in the second game of the season, preventing him from seeing the remainder of the year.
In nearly four full seasons, though, Barkley has produced at a high level. He’s totaled 4,249 yards on the ground with 29 touchdowns. He’s added 1,820 receiving yards and scored an additional eight touchdowns.
Barkley is a proven playmaker and has been a key piece of the Giants’ offense. It seems critical that New York strikes a deal with the star running back before the start of the 2023 season.