New York Giants general manager Joe Schoen is set to meet with Saquon Barkley’s representatives this week at the 2024 NFL Combine in Indianapolis, but not much will change from a year ago.
Ralph Vacchiano of FOX Sports reports that the Giants may be preparing to move away from Barkley and aren’t expected to increase the offer presented to him last offseason.
In fact, Vacchiano notes, the previous offer may also be off the table entirely.
Barkley, who was paid $10.1 million last season, missed three games with injuries. He ran for just 962 yards on just 3.9 yards per carry. He was even less effective as a receiver, catching 41 passes for 280 yards — just 6.8 yards per catch. Yes, the Giants were worse without him, but they were still only 6-8 when he was on the field.
That’s why the Giants are almost certain to allocate his cap space elsewhere and look for cheaper help at his position. They are not expected to use the franchise tag again, according to the source, especially now that it’s bumped up to $12.1 million. And they’re not expected to increase the contract offer he rejected last offseason — a deal that likely isn’t on the table anymore, anyway.
Barkley and his agents reportedly rejected offers ranging from $12.5 million per season up to $14 million per season. Now that he’s a year older and with another injury on his resume, it’s easy to understand why Schoen isn’t chasing Barkley down with a checkbook.
Maybe the higher-than-expected cap ceiling changes Schoen’s mind a bit but with so many other roster needs that, too, seems unlikely.
Barkley has said he wants to remain with the Giants for life but in order to do that, he’ll have to play for less than what he desires.
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