Giants GM talks Saquon Barkley relationship after contract dispute

New York Giants general manager Joe Schoen insists he and star running back Saquon Barkley have no lingering issues following months of intense contract negotiations. 

"Our relationship is good," Schoen said about Barkley during a Thursday appearance on New York sports radio station WFAN, per Ryan Chichester of Audacy. "The first offer we sent during the bye week, Saquon came up to my office and we had a really good conversation. I said, 'Listen, this is the first time you’re going through this. There is a business side to it…and none of it is personal.' He understood that throughout the process." 

It was previously reported that Barkley's camp rejected "a three-or four-year deal averaging about $12M-$12.5M" presented during New York's 2022 bye week that began following a loss at the Seattle Seahawks on Oct. 30. The Giants ultimately used the non-exclusive franchise tag to retain Barkley's rights on March 7, and the two sides failed to come to terms before the July 17 deadline for teams to sign tagged players to long-term deals passed. 

Barkley's supposed threat to keep the tag unsigned and miss regular-season games when he was due to make $10.091M for the upcoming campaign didn't last through the start of training camp. In the end, he and the Giants agreed to what is essentially an adjusted one-year tag that could be worth up to $11M if he reaches certain incentives and Big Blue makes the playoffs. 

Perhaps the biggest win for Schoen is that he held onto the ability to use the franchise tag on Barkley again next year. Despite that, the executive indicated the 2018 first-round draft pick is happy to be back with the team and fully dedicated to the cause. 

"He’s been up to my office a couple times since he’s been back," Schoen added about Barkley. "He’s mature, he’s a good teammate and he really cares about this organization." 

It's nice for the Giants that everyone involved is on the same page this summer, but the current market for running backs suggests things between the franchise and Barkley could get ugly next year. For now, the two parties will cross that bridge when, or if, they reach it.