Saquon Barkley’s Free Agent Market Test: Best Outcome for Giants and Player

Saquon Barkley’s Free Agent Market Test: Best Outcome for Giants and Player

Saquon Barkley’s future with the New York Giants has been uncertain since the team failed to reach a long-term contract agreement with him last July. With the Giants choosing not to franchise tag him for a second consecutive year, Barkley is now set to become an unrestricted free agent. This outcome appears to be the best for both parties, as it is clear that the Giants are not willing to meet Barkley’s demands for a top-of-the-market contract or use another franchise tag on him.

For Barkley, becoming a free agent allows him to gauge his value on the open market. It will be interesting to see what he finds in a crowded market for running backs, a position that is often undervalued in the NFL. An NFL executive projected Barkley’s value at $8 million to $10 million per year, with the potential for some inflation in a deal that could make it look like $12 million per year. This is less than what Barkley turned down from the Giants last year, as their highest offer was reportedly $13 million per year with limited guarantees.

While there is still a possibility for Barkley to return to the Giants if they can match his best offer, he is under no obligation to do so. The Giants may choose to move on and spend their resources on other needs while Barkley explores the market. If Barkley does depart, it will mark the end of a disappointing era for both parties.

In 2018, the Giants used the No. 2 pick in the draft to select Barkley, who was hailed for his hall-of-fame talent. Barkley immediately made an impact, winning offensive rookie of the year and leading the NFL in scrimmage yards. However, injuries and a lackluster supporting cast limited his impact on the team’s success.

In 2022, Dave Gettleman was replaced as the Giants’ general manager by Joe Schoen, who had a more modern view of positional value. Schoen had not prioritized spending on running backs during his time with the Buffalo Bills, but he felt compelled to retain Barkley and quarterback Daniel Jones after the team’s surprising playoff run. The Giants used the franchise tag on Barkley last March, which diminished his leverage in contract negotiations.

Barkley played the 2022 season under the franchise tag, earning a salary of $10.1 million. His production dipped during a challenging season for the entire offense, and he also missed three games due to injury. At 27 years old, with 288 more touches on his odometer, Barkley’s value is uncertain.

Despite the Giants’ struggles and the unlikelihood of an extension after the season, Schoen chose not to make Barkley available for trade. This decision was influenced by Barkley’s leadership qualities and his value to the organization both on and off the field. Barkley has been a five-time captain and has been nominated for the Walter Payton Man of the Year award for the past two years. He has been an exemplary face of the franchise during a challenging period.

Schoen has made it clear that Barkley’s value will be determined by the running back market, which has seen a decline in recent years. It is possible that Schoen may target cheaper running backs in free agency while allocating resources to other positions such as offensive line and edge rusher.

While Barkley has expressed his desire to be a “Giant for life,” all signs point towards his time with the Giants coming to an end. This outcome seems to be the best for both parties involved. Barkley will have the opportunity to explore his market value, and the Giants can allocate their resources elsewhere as they look to build a competitive team.

In conclusion, Saquon Barkley’s pending free agency presents an interesting situation for both the New York Giants and the player himself. The outcome of this market test will determine Barkley’s value in a crowded running back market and allow the Giants to make decisions on their future roster construction. While there is still a possibility of Barkley returning to the Giants, it appears that his chapter with the team is coming to a close, which may ultimately be the best outcome for both parties involved.