Star running back Saquon Barkley has yet to sign a contract for 2023 after the New York Giants put their franchise tag on him earlier this year. And he hinted over the weekend that he could sit out the entire season if the two sides can’t come to an agreement on a long-term deal.
Speaking at his football camp in New Jersey, Barkley told ESPN the contract negotiations are “all about respect.” The two sides still have more than a month before a July 17 deadline.
“I think they’re open to talking. I’m open to talking. I think at the end of the day, if you really break it down and look at it as a whole, there is no rush. There is still time on the table to get to July 17,” Barkley said. “I trust in the Giants that we could get something done.”
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The two-time Pro Bowler said he hasn’t thought much about what happens if a deal doesn’t come together, but sitting out “comes up in the conversation if something doesn’t get done by July 17.”
Because he isn’t under contract, Barkley hasn’t been able to set foot in the Giants’ team facility this spring. And he won’t be in attendance when the team begins mandatory minicamp on Tuesday. However, he reiterated to ESPN he wants to be “a Giant for life.”
Barkley rushed for a career-high 1,312 yards and tied for the team lead with 57 receptions last year as the Giants made the playoffs for the first time in his five years as a pro.
If he were to play under the franchise tag, Barkley would make $10.1 million this season.
