Saquon Barkley is fed up.
Now that the deadline has passed for signing a long-term deal, Pro Bowl running back Saquon Barkley has a simple decision on whether he will sign a one-year tender agreement with the New York Giants or sit out the 2023 season.
Barkley admitted in an interview last week that he’s considered the implications of holding out while appearing on “The Money Matters” podcast on Youtube.
“My leverage is I could say, ‘f you’ to the Giants, I could say, ‘F you to my teammates,'” BarAnd be like, ‘You want me to show you my worth? You want me to show you how valuable I am to the team? I won’t show up. I won’t play a down.’ And that’s a play I could use.”
“Anybody [who] knows me, knows that’s not something I want to do,” Barkley said. “Is it something that’s crossed my mind? I never thought I would ever do that, but now I’m at a point where I’m like, ‘Jesus, I might have to take it to this level.’ Am I prepared to take it to this level? I don’t know. That’s something I have to sit down and talk to my family, talk to my team [of advisers], and strategize about this. Can’t just go off of emotions. I can try to get as much money as I can, but what really matters is winning. I know if I’m able to help bring a championship to New York, that’s going to go miles more ahead than this contract.”
The 26-year-old reportedly turned down a $13 million per year offer that included $19.5 million guaranteed during the bye last season.
Barkley would be paid $10.1 million this season if he signs the team’s tender agreement before the start of the regular season. Even if he signs the deal and plays, the Giants could come back and franchise tag him again next offseason.
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By holding out this season and becoming a free agent, Barkley could avoid a repeat of the entire process next offseason.
The two-time Pro Bowler 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 NFL seasons. The team also defeated the Minnesota Vikings in the wild-card round, which was their first playoff win in 11 years.
Barkley added he will speak with his family and representatives about what step to take beyond not reporting for training camp on time next week.
