Though the NFL calendar is designed to be vacant over the next month-plus, prior to the opening of training camps in late July, Monday marks four weeks until the July 17 deadline for teams to sign franchised players to long-term contracts.
Only six were tagged this year, and Baltimore Ravens QB Lamar Jackson and Washington Commanders DT Daron Payne have reeled in whopping extensions. However four others – notably, three at the salary-challenged running back position – remain without financial security beyond the 2023 season.
A bit of advice to each club facing a decision in the coming month:
New York Giants RB Saquon Barkley
Where things stand: Despite sitting out the regular-season finale, the Pro Bowler’s 1,650 yards from scrimmage for a 2022 wild-card entry were more than double the production of any of his teammates and represented nearly 30% of the club’s entire offensive output – which is to say, hard to figure how the Giants would manage to make up the shortfall if Barkley doesn’t post. Facing the prospect of making $10.1 million on his current one-year tender (which has not been signed) this season – that would tie him for seventh league-wide in terms of average salary, behind the likes of Joe Mixon and Aaron Jones – Barkley has already entertained the notion of sitting out the season, saying recently, “I think that’s a conversation. … That’s a card I could play.”
Best course of action: Barkley has expressed a desire to be “a Giant for life” while claiming he’s not aiming to reset the running back market, which only has two players (Christian McCaffrey and Alvin Kamara) who average at least $15 million annually with two-time rushing champion Derrick Henry ranking third at $12.5 million per. Seems like a pretty nice canvas for the G-Men and Barkley to find a rewarding middle ground – especially given the offensive regression the team is sure to face without him, not to mention the likely derailment of the upward development displayed by QB Daniel Jones last season.
Las Vegas Raiders RB Josh Jacobs
Where things stand: He was a first-time All-Pro and league rushing king (1,653 yards) in 2022, which was the final year of the former first-rounder’s rookie contract after the Silver and Black declined his fifth-year option. And yet Jacobs basically remains stuck in a prove-it posture for a franchise that hasn’t exactly had a smooth offseason.
Best course of action: Jacobs’ league-best 2,053 yards from scrimmage last season eclipsed his previous best by 700+ yards – so you could call his campaign a breakout … and/or suggest his value might never be higher. Though frequently nicked up, he’s been a more durable player than Barkley if not quite the dynamic talent. With the Raiders probably no better than a third-place team in the AFC West and seemingly in some version of a rebuild, trading Jacobs might actually be the smartest move given the apparent reluctance to commit to him.
Dallas Cowboys RB Tony Pollard
Where things stand: Unlike his fellow tag-ees, Pollard has signed his tender – $10.1 million for a year’s work apparently more appealing to a former fourth-rounder coming off a broken leg, to say nothing of his inexperience as Dallas’ RB1. But Pollard has earned a payday coming off his first 1,000-yard rushing season, which included a team-high 12 TDs and a consistent output of chunk plays on the ground and in the passing game.
Best course of action: Pollard recently turned 26, and last season was his first in the NFL with more than 200 touches. Giving him a three- or four-year pact that averages in the $11 or $12 million-dollar range – essentially where Mixon and Aaron Jones are – seems reasonable given the extra dimension Pollard adds to a Dallas offense that will apparently be more reliant on the run in 2023. And a relatively modest extension might better enable America’s Team to rekindle its relationship with Pollard’s former running mate, Ezekiel Elliott – an outcome that seems like it would be best for all parties.
Jacksonville Jaguars TE Evan Engram
Where things stand: His first season in Duval Co. produced a career year (73 receptions, 766 yards), Engram becoming a valuable component to the AFC South champions’ passing game. GM Trent Baalke has telegraphed a willingness to find a multi-year accord with the 2017 first-rounder.
Best course of action: The 4.4 speed that Engram displayed coming out of college makes him one of the bigger mismatches at his position. Yet he’s never had the consistency, durability or combination skill set that warrant jumping him near the top of the tight end pay scale. If the sides can craft a pact somewhere in the $13 million-per-year range – Dawson Knox territory – that seems eminently fair. Otherwise, play it out and move on if necessary.
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Follow USA TODAY Sports’ Nate Davis on Twitter @ByNateDavis.
