Jan 21, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley (26) against the Philadelphia Eagles during an NFC divisional round game at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
NFL: NFC Divisional Round-New York Giants at Philadelphia Eagles
(New York, NY) – Some things are a given in life. Like death and taxes. Other than that, you can never be too sure.
And yet, for New York Giants’ running back and team captain Saquon Barkley, there’s a lot less intrigue than it would seem. Many fans are concerned that Barkley could choose to hold-out and sit-out this upcoming season, if he doesn’t ink a multi-year contract extension.
But if Barkley doesn’t negotiate a larger deal, he can still sign the one-season franchise tag contract the team slapped him with earlier this offseason. And that’s what Barkley will do, if the July 15 deadline comes and goes without a big extension.
Simply put, Barkley won’t be holding out. He’s still relatively young, and enjoyed a healthy and productive 2022-2023 season. That’s after knee and ankle injuries hampered him severely the previous two years. This is not a perennial Pro Bowler who’s routinely finished in the top 5 of MVP voting. He’s also nowhere near the receiving threat of a Christian McCaffrey (who set the market in 2020 when he signed a four-year $64 million contract in 2020, while still a member of the Carolina Panthers).
For Barkley, all he needs to do is look at the Giants’ fellow New York/New Jersey tenant for context. Le’Veon Bell was the league’s best running back when he held out in 2018, while angling for a big contract extension from the Pittsburgh Steelers. Instead, he sat out the entire season, and got traded to the New York Jets the following season – who gave him big money. He never reached the previous highs of his career, and many feel the season off during his prime was a negative (other than the fact Bell eventually got the money).
For Barkley, the competitor, team captain, and someone who has openly discussed a desire to build a legacy within the game and for the Giants, there’s no chance he’s holding out.
So, breathe easy over these next 24 hours.
