The New York Giants and running back Saquon Barkley agreed to a contract for the 2023 season. Here are three reasons why the team won negotiations.
On July 17, the New York Giants and running back Saquon Barkley were unable to agree to terms on a long-term contract extension. With that, Barkley would have to play on the franchise tag, which he didn't sign. Because of that, Barkley didn't have to report to training camp immediately, which opened the door for a holdout not just through the preseason, but potentially into the regular season.
Barkley being unable to secure a lucrative long-term deal was heavily criticized by his fellow NFL running backs, which led to a group chat and a Zoom meeting this past Saturday led by Austin Ekeler of the Los Angeles Chargers. The NFL world waited for the next steps as to what Barkley and the running backs would do.
On Tuesday, the Giants and Barkley agreed to terms on a one-year, $11 million contract. While Barkley and the Giants missed the deadline to come to terms on a long-term extension, that does not prevent them from agreeing to a contract for the 2023 season. So, on the first day that all veterans reported for training camp in East Rutherford, N.J., Barkley ensured that he would be there.
Signing Barkley to a contract this year is a huge win for the Giants. Here are three reasons why that's the case.
3 reasons the NY Giants won Saquon Barkley contract negotiations, No. 3: Incentives tied to team success
The Giants and Barkley were able to agree to terms on a contract that both sides felt was fair. For Barkley, he was initially set to make $10.09 million on the franchise tag. But, he will receive $2 million upfront as a signing bonus. However, there are also incentives in which the running back can make up to $1 million.
Sure, there are incentives in which Barkley can make money on his own. He can make around $909,000 if he records 1,300 rushing yards, 65 receptions, and 11 touchdowns. But there's a catch.
According to NorthJersey.com's Art Stapleton, those incentives are all tied to the Giants making the playoffs this upcoming season.
The Giants were able to shock the world last year by making the playoffs after inheriting the roster created by previous general manager Dave Gettleman, as they had limited cap space to work with. But, head coach Brian Daboll was able to get the most out of players on the roster, and Barkley and quarterback Daniel Jones played a pivotal role in the team's path to a Wild Card berth and a playoff victory.
This upcoming season, the team made improvements on both sides of the line of scrimmage but has a tough schedule. Let's not forget, they will be playing six road games through Weeks 2-11. But, they can take solace in the fact that making the playoffs in the NFC is not nearly as grueling as the AFC.
But to make the additional $909,000 in incentives, Barkley will have to ensure the Giants make the playoffs for the second year in a row.
3 reasons the NY Giants won Saquon Barkley contract negotiations, No. 2: Prevent holdout, allows the offense to build chemistry before the season
Once the New York Giants and Saquon Barkley were unable to agree to terms on a long-term deal, the word "holdout" was used a lot in describing the looming situation. With training camp on the horizon, the NFL world expected Barkley to hold out in training camp. Let's not forget that earlier in the offseason, Barkley didn't rule out potentially sitting out regular-season games.
Barkley holding out from training camp would have been bad for the Giants, especially as head coach Brian Daboll looked to take the offense to new heights in 2023. With some more cap space at their disposal, the Giants were able to trade for Las Vegas Raiders tight end Darren Waller and brought in wide receivers Parris Campbell, Jalin Hyatt, and Jamison Crowder to add to their depth chart consisting of Darius Slayton, Isaiah Hodgins, and Sterling Shepard, and drafted a new center in Minnesota's John Michael Schmitz.
The Giants did prepare for a potential Barkley holdout, as they signed former Jacksonville Jaguars and New York Jets running back James Robinson shortly after the July 17 deadline.
Now, the Giants don't have to worry about any looming uncertainty on when Barkley would report to camp. He's ready to go for the first day of camp.
3 reasons the NY Giants won Saquon Barkley contract negotiations, No. 1: Giants can franchise tag Saquon Barkley next year
This situation between the New York Giants and running back Saquon Barkley began in March. The team had to figure out how to sign Barkley and quarterback Daniel Jones to long-term contracts. If worse came to worse, the Giants could place the franchise tag on one player. While the team and Jones agreed to terms on a four-year, $160 million contract, they ultimately placed the franchise tag on Barkley to try and agree to a deal by July 17.
As we know, the Giants and Barkley missed the deadline, meaning that both sides could not agree to terms on a long-term deal. However, they were able to agree to a new deal for the 2023 season on Tuesday.
The Giants did get a win by tying Barkley's $909,000 in incentives (1,350 rushing yards, 65 receptions, and 11 rushing/receiving touchdowns), which would all come if the Giants make the playoffs. But then, there's more.
Barkley's new contract does not include a "no franchise tag" clause, per ESPN's Jordan Raanan. Meaning, the Giants can place the franchise tag on Barkley again next offseason if they so choose.
It's a rough side to the business, whether you are a running back or any NFL player. The franchise tag prevents the player from hitting free agency and exploring their options. But, that's the rules that the NFL has created, and teams use them.
The Giants now have the luxury to wait another season before returning to the negotiation table with Barkley, and if they so choose, they can place the tag on Barkley again if they are unable to agree to terms on a contract again.