NFL writer: Giants' Saquon Barkley 'has the leverage' in contract dispute

Not everybody is convinced New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley must accept playing on the $10.091M franchise tender for 2023. 

For a piece published Thursday, CBS Sports NFL writer Jeff Kerr explained why Barkley "has the leverage in this situation" as he looks to land a new contract. 

"Barkley had his best rushing season with the Giants in 2022, and was the reason New York even made the postseason to begin with," Kerr noted. "New York was 8-2 when Barkley rushed for 70-plus yards last season and 7-2 when he had 100-plus scrimmage yards. The Giants were 0-3 when Barkley rushed for less than 50 yards last season, proving the offense went through him." 

As shown by ESPN stats, Barkley finished this past regular season fourth among all players with 1,312 rushing yards and 295 carries. He tallied 10 rushing scores and was also a key figure in New York's passing attack, as he ended the campaign tied with Richie James for a team-best 57 receptions. Barkley led all New York players with 76 targets and was fourth on the club with 338 receiving yards. 

Few knowledgeable individuals, including people associated with the Giants, would deny Barkley's overall importance to the 2022 edition of the team that earned a playoff berth and a road postseason victory. Nevertheless, Kerr ignored the main reason why multiple reporters have openly scoffed at the idea that Barkley could refuse to sign the franchise tag and remain away from the club through the start of regular-season play. 

After the July 17 deadline for teams to sign franchise-tagged players comes and goes, Barkley cannot secure a long-term deal until next offseason. Sitting games out as a protest wouldn't benefit Barkley toward achieving a goal and would result only in the 26-year-old forfeiting guaranteed money he clearly wants. That's why Fox Sports NFC East reporter Ralph Vacchiano said Wednesday the Giants are "aware Barkley has no leverage" in contract talks and "are content to let Barkley play out the season on the tag." 

As recently as Thursday morning, ESPN's Jordan Raanan reported that it's believed the Giants and Barkley "will try to get something done before the July 17 deadline" regarding a previously offered deal that once again may or may not be on the table. Raanan mentioned that $22.2M in guaranteed money — the price of this year's franchise tag plus the tag for 2024 — should be the "floor" for Barkley in negotiations, and that may be why Giants general manager Joe Schoen is happy to let the second pick from the 2018 NFL Draft eventually sign the tag on his own terms at some point before or after July 17.