Why flooded market could extend Giants' relationship with Saquon Barkley

ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter reported on Monday afternoon that Saquon Barkley of the New York Giants is among a handful of big-name running backs who won't have their rights retained via the franchise tag and, thus, will become free agents in March. 

Michael David Smith of Pro Football Talk later noted that "those running backs aren’t going to find many high bidders" even though the league's salary cap is increasing from $224.8M for this past season to $255.4M for 2024. 

"Teams just aren’t looking to spend a lot on the running back position," Smith explained. "NFL teams have learned that expensive veteran running backs can be replaced with cheap young running backs without much loss of production." 

Schefter added that the Giants "will speak with Barkley and explore a deal with him" but are "unlikely" to tag the 27-year-old before next Tuesday's deadline for such decisions. 

Giants beat writer Paul Schwartz of the New York Post reported last week that the team was "not expected to allocate (roughly $12.1M 2024) on their salary cap for one running back, especially someone they likely view as in decline."

Schwartz wrote for a piece published Monday afternoon that "it will be no surprise" if the Giants fail to come to terms with Barkley's camp regarding a contract during the upcoming scouting combine. 

That's hardly shocking considering Barkley hinted while speaking with The Post's Ryan Dunleavy earlier this month that he wanted to let the open market determine his value but "wouldn’t be against" giving Giants general manager Joe Schoen an opportunity to match or better the best offer made to him by a different team.

"They know where I want to be," Barkley said at that time. "Ownership said they want me to be a Giant for life, too. Last year, we tried our best at the end. Business happened, and we didn’t get it done." 

Barkley played on an adjusted one-year tag for the 2023 campaign and wants to be a "Giant for life" but at a fair price, and there are now reasons to believe he won't cost nearly as much as feared even a week ago. 

The team captain is beloved by teammates and New York fans, and he is the best overall offensive weapon for a club that finished this past season at 6-11. 

Meanwhile, Giants head coach Brian Daboll could be on the hot seat following a tumultuous campaign. Daboll along with Giants co-owner John Mara could have plenty of reasons to want to encourage Schoen to think twice about letting Barkley head to a different club, especially if the division-rival Dallas Cowboys make a serious attempt to sign the second overall pick of the 2018 NFL Draft.