Saquon Barkley provided New York Giants fans with an ominous update recently regarding his contract holdout.
When asked about his confidence level in a long-term contract being reached soon with New York, the running back told reporters on Sunday “I don’t know.” According to ESPN’s Jordan Raanan, Barkley also said that if the two sides can’t agree on a new deal by the July 17 deadline, he would consider sitting out the 2023 season.
“That comes up in the conversation if something doesn’t get done by July 17,” Barkley said, per Raanan. “At the end of the day, it’s all about respect. That is really what it is.”
The Giants used the franchise tag on the two-time Pro Bowler in March, but Barkley hasn’t signed it yet, keeping him away from the team facility this spring.
Barkley told media members that he isn’t worried about the situation yet.
“I think at the end of the day, if you really break it down and look at it as a whole, there is no rush. There is still time on the table to get to July 17. July 17 is not tomorrow. It’s not in a week. That is how I look at it,” he said, according to Raanan. “Maybe that is the naïve way to look at it, I could be completely wrong. But for me, that’s how I look at it. I could be completely wrong. Hopefully. I trust in the Giants that we could get something done.”
It’s been reported Barkley and his camp rejected a multi-year offer worth close to $14 million per season, plus incentives, earlier this offseason.
Raanan wrote that the offer “left a negative taste” in the 26-year-old’s mouth. The insider added that Barkley said he feels he’s being perceived as “greedy,” but he has maintained that he wants to remain a member of the organization for life.
The former AP Offensive Rookie of the Year bounced back from a few injury-plagued seasons by rushing for a career-high 1,312 yards in 2022 to go along with 10 rushing scores and 57 receptions for 338 receiving yards.
Barkley will make $10.1 million this season if he plays on the franchise tag.
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