Giants Insider: Saquon Barkley Is Definitely Looking to Go into 2024 NFL Free Agency for a New Deal
On this week’s episode of Breaking Big Blue, ESPN’s Jordan Raanan stated that he thinks Barkley going on the open market is the most likely scenario.
“If you listen closely, if you’re paying attention and following and connecting the dots, it sounds like the Giants are greasing the skids to at least letting Saquon Barkley test the open market,” Raanan remarked around the 2:18 mark. “Yes, they want him back, but no, they don’t want to pay him what they think he’s worth.”
Barkley signed an adjusted franchise tag worth $10.1 million, fully guaranteed, and up to $11 million with incentives for the 2023 season following hard negotiations last offseason. They “already went last year past the point where they probably felt comfortable paying” Barkley, according to Raanan.
The 14-game season saw the six-year veteran, who turns 27 on Friday, rush for 962 yards and six touchdowns on 247 runs, in addition to 41 receptions for 280 yards and four more scores.
Barkley is a consistent producer, but his free agency choices will probably be limited due to the NFL’s devaluation of the running back position. The Indianapolis Colts star Jonathan Taylor signed a three-year, $42 million contract this season, with $26.5 million guaranteed, setting a new standard for running back contracts following a protracted holdout.
Raanan stated that Barkley is not expected to sign a comparable contract with the Giants or any other team that is open to the public. Barkley is rumored to be requesting a guaranteed minimum of $24 million.
Of course, there’s always a chance Barkley’s demands will be met by a team that needs a reliable ball carrier. Barkley has stated that he wants to pursue his career in New York, but it doesn’t seem like things will go as planned.