Saquon Barkley finished his sixth season with the New York Giants in a very productive way, scoring two touchdowns in the victory over the Philadelphia Eagles.
Whether Barkley will be with the Giants for a seventh season is the big question, the same one that surrounded the 2018 second overall pick this past offseason.
The Giants decided to franchise tag Barkley after negotiations for a long-term extension failed. Barkley was quite transparent about the situation, saying that he fully understood how the NFL business worked now that he had to deal with it firsthand along with other running backs who didn’t see extensions on the market for the position.
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Saquon Barkley #26 of the New York Giants looks toward the sideline against the Dallas Cowboys during the first half at AT&T Stadium on November 12, 2023 in Arlington, Texas. (Cooper Neill/Getty Images)
As Barkley heads into the offseason, he knows the Giants can franchise tag him once again if an extension doesn’t happen. But after experiencing what happened last offseason — Barkley and the Giants finally agreed to a modified tag with additional incentives before training camp began — he said he’s “desensitized” to the situation if it arises again.
“I went through the whole process last year,” Barkley said. “To be honest, we talked more than enough last year. I’m going to let my agents handle that.”
“They did it last year. So I’m numb. I don’t have any feelings toward it at all,” Barkley continued. “If you’re going to do it, don’t wait until March 5. Get it over with. If not, let me go. Simple.”
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March 5 is the franchise tag deadline for all NFL teams, which the Giants fully utilized until an hour after reaching a long-term deal with quarterback Daniel Jones.
General manager Joe Schoen and head coach Brian Daboll were at the center of discussions last offseason, with the former signaling Monday that a conversation with Barkley will be had soon.
Saquon Barkley #26 of the New York Giants leaves the field after defeating the Washington Commanders at MetLife Stadium on October 22, 2023 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
“That’s a tool we have at our disposal,” Schoen explained of the franchise tag. “I’m not saying we will or we won’t. A lot of those conversations will be had in the next month or so.”
Barkley reflected on what once again could have been his last year in New York.
“If it was my last game here, if it is, it was a fun six years,” he said after rushing for 46 yards and catching two passes for 51 yards in a 27-10 win over its NFC East rival on Sunday. “It creates a lot of wonderful memories, but it’s not like the last time I played football… If I knew it was my last game, I’d probably feel a little differently, but like I said, I have no idea.”
Barkley finished Year 6 with 962 rushing yards on 247 carries with six rushing touchdowns, while making 41 receptions for 280 yards with four receiving touchdowns.
Saquon Barkley #26 of the New York Giants watches during the national anthem before an NFL football game between the Arizona Cardinals and the New York Giants at State Farm Stadium on September 17, 2023 in Glendale, Arizona. (Michael Owens/Getty Images)
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If it were his final season in a Giants uniform, Barkley would have rushed for 5,211 yards, averaging 4.3 yards per carry with 35 touchdowns on the ground and 12 more through the air. He also had 2,100 yards on 288 receptions.
