Saquon Barkley settled for an adjusted one-year deal for the 2023 season but it appears a new agreement couldn't be reached with the New York Giants going forward, the team opting against using the franchise tag again, according to multiple reports, because of a cost of $12.1m
Thursday 7 March 2024 17:28, UK
Saquon Barkley looks set to become an unrestricted free agent for the first time in his NFL career with the New York Giants reportedly opting against using the franchise tag on their star running back for a second season in a row.
Being tagged for the 2023 season irked Barkley, who felt the Giants were being disloyal by not pushing for a long-term commitment after he rushed for a career-high 1,312 rushing yards the previous season.
The two-time Pro Bowler ultimately settled for an adjusted one-year deal for the 2023 season but it appears a new agreement couldn't be reached with the Giants going forward, the team opting against using the franchise tag again, according to multiple reports, because of a cost of $12.1m.
Giants general manager Joe Schoen said at the NFL Scouting Combine last week: "We don't want to do it [use the franchise tag]. In a perfect world, we don't want to do that again."
Schoen added that he'd met with Barkley's new agent Ed Berry during the combine and expressed optimism about coming to an agreement with Barkley.
"I think we've all grown - Saquon, myself, the organisation - through the last 12, 13, 14 months," Schoen said.
"Saquon may be in a different place now than he was then in terms of understanding the market and the business side of it. I'm looking forward to having those conversations with him."
It's understood the Philadelphia Eagles and Barkley have a mutual interest heading into the start of free agency, according to multiple reports. The New York Post and Philadelphia's WIP radio both reported Thursday on Barkley's potential switch from the New York Giants to their NFC East rivals.
Drafted by the Giants with the No 2 overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, Barkley's career got off to an electric start as he tallied a career-best 2,028 total yards to win Offensive Rookie of the Year honours, and the idea of pairing him with a supremely talented Eagles offensive line is tantalising.
His progress has been marred by injuries since, missing at least three games in four of the past five seasons, including most of the 2020 campaign because of a torn ACL.
The 27-year-old started all 14 games he played in last season, rushing for 962 yards and six touchdowns. He also caught 41 passes for 280 yards and four scores.
If he were to end his time with the Giants, Barkley isn't necessarily due a massive payday as part of a crowded free agency market which will see him compete for a deal along with the likes of Josh Jacobs (Las Vegas Raiders) and Tony Pollard (Dallas Cowboys), Derrick Henry (Tennessee Titans) and Austin Ekeler (Los Angeles Chargers).
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