New York Giants star running back Saquon Barkley has hinted he might be leaving the team this offseason. Barkley,
who’s been a key player for the Giants over the last six seasons, is set to become a free agent in March.
The 26-year-old was close to leaving the team last year when contract extension talks fell through, but ended up
staying on a one-year franchise tag deal. Now, with his contract due to end again, it’s unlikely the Giants will offer
him another tag, given its hefty price tag of $22.6 million – significantly more than the league’s highest-paid running
back, Christian McCaffrey ($16m).
Barkley has stated in the past that he wants to play for the Giants for the rest of his career, but after last year’s
disastrous contract discussions, it appears that he has changed his mind. In response to the question of whether he
could imagine himself playing for a different team the following season, Barkley said, “Yeah, I mean it never crossed
my mind until last year after I got tagged.”
They are aware of it, but when you reach this stage and begin the contract negotiation and tagging process, you see
just how much of a business this is. Veterinarians used to tell me this all the time, and you know what, I believed
them. However, you never truly know something unless you experience it yourself. Can I envision myself wearing a
different uniform? Indeed, that is feasible.”
Barkley was not afraid to voice his desire for a long-term contract with the team, which they did not extend to him
prior to assigning him a franchise tag, which infuriated him.
They know this, but you realize how much of a business this is when you get to this point and start negotiating the
contract and tags. I used to hear this from veterinarians all the time, and I honestly believed them. But until you
experience something for yourself, you can never really know it. Can I see myself in a new set of clothes? Yes, that is
indeed possible.”
Barkley expressed his frustration that the team had not offered him a long-term contract before securing a franchise
tag, and he was not afraid to speak out against this.
