Giants' Saquon Barkley provides update on contract talks

The New York Giants and Saquon Barkley have yet to agree to terms on a new contract extension, and that is keeping the superstar running back away from the team during its offseason activities. 

Even though the Giants general manager Joe Schoen recently said he has no idea what Barkley's plans are for the season or, for that matter whether or not he will be on the team at all, Barkley himself does not seem as concerned given where we are in the calendar. 

He commented on the situation this week when he was back in Lehigh Valley making an appearance at the Temple/St. Luke's Medical School on Thursday.

From the Morning Call:

“Where do I stand with the Giants right now? It’s like what someone said the other day … it’s still April,” Barkley said. “I haven’t had conversations with Joe [Schoen, the Giants GM] too much. So the best way I can handle it is to keep working. Whatever happens, happens. There are things I can’t really control right now. All I can control is how I will wake up every morning and stay with my goals and my passion. Even though I may not be with the team right now and not in the building, I don’t think anyone with the Giants is concerned about my work-ethic and my teammates aren’t worried about how I’m preparing.”

The Giants placed the franchise tag on Barkley earlier this offseason. If he signs that tender and plays under the franchise tag this year it would pay him over $10 million for the 2023 season. But he obviously would prefer a long-term deal and guaranteed money, something the two sides do not seem to be close to agreeing on. 

Barkley had a monster 2022 season that was one of his best in the NFL, rushing for 1,312 yards in 16 games while catching another 57 passes for 338 yards. He averaged 4.4 yards per carry and scored 10 touchdowns as the Giants made a stunning run to the playoffs and won a Wild Card game in Minnesota before losing in the Divisional Round to the Philadelphia Eagles. 

Barkley and starting quarterback Daniel Jones were both set to be unrestricted free agents this offseason.

The Giants put the franchise tag on Barkley and signed Jones to a four-year, $160 million contract that could be worth as much as $190 million if he hits all of his incentives.