Former agent reacts to Giants pulling Saquon Barkley contract offer

A former sports agent is surprised the New York Giants pulled a previous offer presented to running back Saquon Barkley after they used the non-exclusive franchise tag to retain Barkley's services. 

"Usually you table discussions, that offer remains," former agent and current CBS Sports NFL contracts and salary cap expert Joel Corry said during an appearance on the "Valentine's Views" podcast, as shared by Ed Valentine of Big Blue View. "Pulling the offer raised eyebrows to me. That’s an unusual step...that would send a message to me if I’m the player that this is going to be a truly tough negotiation." 

It's been reported that Barkley's camp rejected a multi-year deal worth around $13M per season with incentives that could've bumped it up to $14M earlier this offseason. By all accounts, Giants general manager Joe Schoen removed all offers from the table after he utilized the franchise tag on March 7, and Barkley hasn't yet signed the tag. 

The Giants and Barkley have until July 17 to reach a long-term agreement. Corry suggested fans should expect Barkley to play on the $10.091M franchise tender for 2023 if he continues to feel disrespected throughout negotiations. 

"Them pulling the offer to me signals we’re fine if you play on the tag and it’s going to be a deal of our liking as opposed to us really trying to bridge the differences from where we were," Corry explained. 

Corry did, however, add that he believes the Giants and Barkley will sign a deal "close to the deadline" that could be a three-to-four-year contract with only the first two years fully guaranteed. 

Schoen's recent comments about only putting pen to paper on an agreement "where both parties are happy" indicates Barkley may have to lower his asking price if he wants to earn any more cash than what he's guaranteed on the franchise tag.