Giants: The truth behind the failed Barkley extension just got revealed
The Saquon saga came to an end earlier this week when the star running back opted to not hold out and sign a one-year deal with the New York Giants. And while that's fine and dandy for 2023, it still leaves more questions than answers as it pertains to his future. So when asked about […]
The Saquon saga came to an end earlier this week when the star running back opted to not hold out and sign a one-year deal with the New York Giants.
And while that's fine and dandy for 2023, it still leaves more questions than answers as it pertains to his future.
So when asked about why he didn't sign any of the long-term extensions pitched by New York, Barkley's answer was clear:
Barkley: “It was the Tag”
During his highly anticipated press conference yesterday, New York Giants star RB Saquon Barkley got down to the brass tax when it came to why he and the Giants couldn’t come to terms on a long-term deal:
"In my mind, I think it didn't happen because one, just being flat-out honest, the tag," said Barkley on why he didn't take the Giants' final offer. "That's the leverage that they have. I think if I wasn't able to get tagged, I do think the negotiation process would have went a lot different. I think I would have had a little more – not a little more, a lot more – leverage in my way."
Barkley is speaking to a broader issue, one that plagues every player in the league, but particularly his counterparts at the running back position. The franchise tag is the ultimate trump card in the NFL, at least as it pertains to contract leverage and front offices.
And Saquon knows to tread carefully because it's not only likely but basically a foregone conclusion that Barkley will be back in the exact position next year. The Giants can tag him again, and the guaranteed money only goes a little over $12 million dollars thanks to a 20% increase based on the $10.1 million dollar tag.
And that's a problem that unfortunately for Saquon and backs across the league, is at least seven years away from solving. That's because the last collective bargaining agreement between the league and the players association was signed in 2020 and runs through the decade.
So in a darned if you do, darned if you don't scenario, Barkley choose the only option he could, even if it produced a result that is a mere Band-Aid to an open wound.
Featured image via: © Danielle Parhizkaran-USA TODAY Sports
