The New York Giants are signing starting left tackle Andrew Thomas to a five-year extension for $117.5 million, which includes a record-breaking $67 million in guarantees.
The guaranteed money is a new high for an offensive lineman and his new yearly average makes him the second-highest-paid tackle in the league behind Laremy Tunsil. Tunsil signed a new deal with the Texans in March for three years, $75 million, with $50 million guaranteed.
New York drafted Thomas with the No. 4 overall pick in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft. Since then, he’s started 28 of 29 games for the Giants.
Entering the fourth year of his rookie deal, the former Georgia Bulldog wasn’t headed for free agency until 2025. However, he is now secure through the 2029 season.
Perhaps smartly, the Giants waited to sign Thomas to his new deal until they managed to lock in running back Saquon Barkley for the 2023 season.
Giants ink Saquon Barkley to one-year deal
The New York Giants got out of a jam by inking running back Saquon Barkley to a one-year deal NFL insider Ian Rapoport reported on Tuesday morning.
After refusing to sign a fully guaranteed deal for $10.1 million on a one-year franchise tag, Barkley agreed to a sum of “up to” $11 million. His new deal also includes $2 million in a signing bonus.
With the news of the deal, Barkley will now head to training camp to join his teammates.
Although a one-year contract is not the ideal long-term deal he was looking for, it does give him the opportunity to earn more than the franchise tag amount.
According to Adam Schefter, the running back’s new deal does not include a no-franchise tag clause. However, it offers him $909,000 in incentives. The marks to hit include 11 touchdowns, 65 receptions and 1,350 rushing yards, plus a playoff appearance.
Last season for the Giants, Barkley had 1,312 rushing yards and an additional 338 receiving yards. He was on a $7.2 million extension off of his rookie contract, which was for four years, $31.19 million.
As a rookie, he had 1,307 rushing yards, 721 receiving yards and 15 total touchdowns. It earned him Offensive Rookie of the Year for 2018.
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