Crisis averted, as the New York Giants and running back Saquon Barkley have agreed to terms on a one-year contract that could be worth upwards of $11 million with incentives.
According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, Barkley's new deal includes the $10.1 million franchise tag amount that's fully guaranteed, including a $2 million upfront signing bonus and $1 million of incentives to be split over rushing yards (1300), touchdowns (11) and receptions (65).
Last season, Barkley gained 1,312 rushing yards, so his potential earning of an incentive for rushing yards is a "likely to be earned" figure. The touchdowns and receptions totals are "not likely to be earned" since he fell short of both marks last season (10 touchdowns, 57 receptions).
This means the money allocated to those two incentives won't count against the Giants' 2023 cap, but it will count against 2024 if Barkley earns them.
Barkley also did not receive a promise from the Giants that they would not use the franchise tag on him again in 2024, per Schefter. That concession had been a possibility, but from the GIants' perspective, not a wise one to use until the team saw what it had in camp at the position.
Reaching a deal with their star running back, he assures that Barkley will be on the field on Wednesday for the team's first practice and avoids a potential summer-long distraction for his teammates and coaches.
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