Report: NY Giants, Barkley Holding off on Contract Talks

The New York Giants and their star running back, Saquon Barkley, are putting contract talks aside until the offseason, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

The New York Giants and star running back Saquon Barkley will table any talks about a new contract until after this season:https://t.co/8mQnXmffDb

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 13, 2022

The Giants, who are off to a 6-2 start with Barkley at the forefront, had their bye week last week.

Schefter reported that, per sources, the former Penn State star and his NFL team didn’t near a new deal.

After missing almost all of 2020 with a torn ACL and struggling to return to form last season, Barkley has reestablished himself as one of football’s best runners in 2022. Through eight games, Barkley’s 779 yards rank third behind Derek Henry of the Tennessee Titans and Nick Chubb of the Cleveland Browns. Barkley also averages 4.8 yards per carry and has rushed for six touchdowns.

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Although the Giants and their fans certainly want to have Barkley in the fold for a long time, nothing is certain. General manager Joe Schoen said before that the deadline for the two parties to reach a deal was last Monday. The Giants don’t want any distractions in what’s been one of football’s “Cinderella” seasons, so extensive talks of Saquon’s future will have to wait until, well, the future. The rest of the Giants’ season begins Sunday afternoon at 1 against the Texans at MetLife Stadium.

As Schefter pointed out in his article, Barkley will want big money. Schefter noted the salaries of others at Barkley’s position, such as Christian McCaffery ($16 million annual average) Ezekiel Elliot and Alvin Kamara ($15 million), and Henry and Dalvin Cook ($12.5 million). With the exception of Henry, none of those runners has had the year that Barkley’s had.

The Giants have the option to use Barkley’s franchise tag, which would cost roughly $12 million. Both Barkley and QB Daniel Jones will be unrestricted free agents in 2023, and only one can be franchised tagged.