Optimism exists Giants, Saquon Barkley will reach extension agreement

Barkley has voiced issues with the news coming out of his extension talks, but the latest offering provides some hope a resolution is near. Some level of optimism exists this process will end in a deal, ESPN.com’s Jeremy Fowler said during a SportsCenter appearance (h/t Giants Wire’s John Fennelly). Giants ownership also still views Barkley as a “centerpiece-type player” for the team, Fowler adds. That might be a key component of these long-running negotiations, which started last November.

The Joe Schoen–Brian Daboll regime inherited Barkley, whom Dave Gettleman drafted second overall in 2018. John Mara and Steve Tisch, of course, were present when Barkley emerged from Penn State as one of the best running back prospects in modern NFL history. The 2018 Offensive Rookie of the Year, Barkley has been the face of the Giants’ franchise since Eli Manning retired. Although injuries have intervened, the New Jersey native bounced back last season to lead a shorthanded offense to the playoffs. That effort led to a Daniel Jones $40M-per-year extension and Barkley being kept off the market via the tag, leading to some acrimony.

Barkley’s 1,650 scrimmage yards last season did not top his rookie-year mark (2,028), but only Tiki Barber and Joe Morris have topped Barkley's 2022 number in team history. While the Giants have added key pieces at tight end (Darren Waller) and wide receiver this offseason, Barkley will still serve as the team’s skill-position anchor — with or without an extension — this season.

Barkley’s options are limited if he cannot come to an agreement by July 17. He referenced Le’Veon Bell‘s skipped 2018 season, and a recent report indicated the veteran back could stay away from training camp. But come Week 1, Barkley would see missed game checks begin to pile up. This is probably a bigger issue for Josh Jacobs and Tony Pollard, considering Barkley’s nearly $40M earned as a pro, and the Raiders back looks to be using the threat of missed games in his negotiation. It would still surprise if Barkley were not with the team by Week 1, but it is certainly understandable he would use every weapon at his disposal as talks transpire during a bleak offseason for running backs.

These Giants-Barkley talks have hinged on guarantees, and Fowler adds the two-time Pro Bowler wants a better contract structure. The two offers Barkley turned down — of them being north of $13M per year — were not believed to have presented strong guarantees. Besides Bijan Robinson‘s $21M-plus in guarantees at the No. 8 draft slot, only Christian McCaffrey ($30.1M) and Derrick Henry ($25.5M) are tied to deals including more than $20M locked in. With a 2024 Barkley tag price checking in at $12.12M, the dual-threat back almost definitely wants at least a $22M guarantee to cover the two tags.

The Henry deal led to a second rushing title and a strong 2022 season, while McCaffrey played a lead role in the 49ers’ 12-game win streak. Injuries intervened for both on their second contracts, and Barkley missed chunks of the 2019-21 seasons due to maladies (most notably a torn ACL in 2020). Barkley’s injury history has undoubtedly come up during extension talks, but he stayed healthy last year. How the Giants proceed here will be a key chapter in one of the most eventful offseasons at the running back position.