Following their surprisingly successful 2022 season, the New York Giants had to find a way to retain arguably their two best and most valuable players: quarterback Daniel Jones and running back Saquon Barkley.
Jones was given a lucrative new contract, while Barkley got the team’s franchise tag so he could remain with them while a new deal is worked out with him.
According to Giants insider Jordan Raanan, the team isn’t in a rush to get a new contract done with Barkley.
The #giants aren’t overly motivated at this time to get a long-term deal done. The franchise tag at $10.1M is a pretty good deal for teams.
— Jordan Raanan (@JordanRaanan) April 12, 2023
Running backs, even those as prolific and talented as Barkley, aren’t valued nearly as much as they were a generation ago, and therefore he may not ultimately receive as much money as he may prefer.
But there is no doubt that, along with Jones, he is the face of the Giants’ offense.
After injuries slowed him down in 2020 and 2021, Barkley returned to form last season, running for a career-high 1,312 yards while scoring 10 touchdowns and earning his second Pro Bowl selection.
He even finished third in the balloting for the NFL’s Comeback Player of the Year award, an award that ultimately went to Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith.
While the Giants’ running attack was strong in 2022 thanks to Barkley and Jones, they greatly need more firepower in the air.
Wide receiver Darius Slayton was their only player to record over 600 receiving yards, and while they brought in tight end Darren Waller from the Las Vegas Raiders, they need more help in that department, especially after losing out on wideout Odell Beckham Jr.
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NFL Insider Reveals Major Saquon Barkley Contract Update
