The start of New York Giants training camp is set to begin on Wednesday, July 26. Whether or not running back Saquon Barkley shows up remains to be seen and is perhaps the biggest question facing the franchise this week as it begins to prepare for a new NFL football season. Barkley, a former Penn State standout running back, was unable to reach a deal on a new contract with the Giants last week, meaning he is forced to play this season on a franchise tag. Of course, that is if he decides to play this season.
Barkley hasn’t necessarily ruled out the option of holding out, but his status remains unconfirmed for the start of training camp. If he does decide to stay home while his Giants teammates are going through camp practices, at least one of his teammates will support his decision.
Giants defensive back Xavier McKinney said in an interview with Jim Rome on CBS Sports Radio he will respect whatever Barkley’s decision is.
“For me, I’ve talked to him, and regardless of any decision that he makes, whether he’s there or whether he’s not here, I respect it 100 percent,” McKinney said in the Jim Rome interview, according to the New York Post. “I’m behind him 100 percent. I wouldn’t have no hard feelings, no nothing towards him whatever decision that he decides. Obviously we want him to be there but if he can’t, we understand that as well. I think that’s not just for me but that goes for a lot of guys in our locker room.”
Barkley’s franchise tag for the 2023 season is valued at $10.091 million. That was offered to Barkley back in March of this year, but Barkley was hoping to have an updated contract worked out before the start of the season. Barkley is set to be an unrestricted free agent in 2024.
Helmet sticker to Larry Brown Sports.
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