Giants RB Saquon Barkley just received backup from NFL insider
Negotiations often call for third parties, or what we call arbitration/mediation in the business world. But in the NFL, seldom is there a middleman per se, as it's typically just one party (the player and his representation) vs another (the organization) But in the case of Saquon Barkley vs the New York Giants, NFL Media […]
Negotiations often call for third parties, or what we call arbitration/mediation in the business world.
But in the NFL, seldom is there a middleman per se, as it's typically just one party (the player and his representation) vs another (the organization)
But in the case of Saquon Barkley vs the New York Giants, NFL Media Insider Tom Pelissero is plugged in on both sides, making what he said about the contract negotiations very important:
On a recent hosting appearance on The Rich Eisen Show, Pelissero put on his show host hat, while sharing some of the valuable information that he gathers during his day job. When asked about the Saquon Barkley situation, here's what he shared:
"If he had a real $13 million a year on the table right now, I think the deal would be done", said NFL insider Tom Pelissero via The Rich Eisen Show. "So the way that teams usually look at this and agents to, the tag is 10 million and change this year, the second tag next year will be $12 million and change. So you're similar at least 11 million if you're going to do a long-term deal."
"Now, Saquon, he's the best of the bunch, arguably. Josh Jacobs again, NFL rushing leader, so I'm taking nothing away from Josh here. But Saquon, high draft pick, he's already made some money, maybe he feels like he's got more leverage here," said Pelissero. "(GM) Joe Schoen is a tough negotiator, (VP) Kevin Abrams has been there for a long time."
"I don't see them getting out over their skis. I don't see them doing a McCaffrey or Kamara-style contract. I don't think that that's going to happen here. What they've got to figure out is between the base stuff that's guaranteed and any incentives, where's the upside? Where's that path forward here that makes sense for everybody involved? That may well not happen until July 17 (the deadline for Barkley to sign his tag) but at least they've had negotiations back and forth."
Well, well, well. It looks like Saquon's recent comments weren't just pandering to the masses. Instead, his sentiments about just wanting to be "respectfully compensated" and "not wanting to reset the market" obviously hold merit.
A deal in the $13 million dollar range would place Barkley third in AAV or average annual value. That's still short of the $15 million that Kamara receives and the $16 million that McCaffrey is making.
And while even diehard Giants fans may not argue Barkley over McCaffrey, anyone with an unbiased view of the situation could see a world where Barkley is compensated in the top 3 range, beating out a host of other backs making $12.5 million or less in AAV.
So while it's been easy to jump on Barkley and call him money hungry, or selfish. The facts and the numbers are irrefutable. Barkley just wants his fair end of the bargain, something one of the best backs in the leagues is more than deserving of.
Featured image via: © Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
