The New York Giants and their star running back Saquon Barkley have until next week to replace the franchise tag for the 2023 season with a long-term contract. If that doesn’t happen, there is reportedly a chance that Barkley won’t be on the field for the Giants to start the new campaign.
According to Dianna Russini of ESPN, Barkley made it clear to the Giants that he doesn’t want to play on the franchise tag. Sources close to the player told Russini that without a new deal, Barkley’s availability for Week 1 is in “serious question.”
This isn’t the first time that the reports about Barkley’s willingness to sit out have come out. Just last month, the Pro Bowler made it clear that he will “at least” contemplate not playing under the franchise tag.
The Giants placed a franchise tag on Barkley after the two sides failed to agree on a long-term deal earlier in the offseason. The problem was reportedly in Barkley’s wish to become one of the highest-paid backs in the league. The Giants, on the other hand, are not willing to go that far due to questions surrounding the player’s health and durability.
If Barkley signs his franchise tag, he will get a guaranteed $10.1 million salary in 2023. If he decides not to sign it and sit out, the Giants could still tag him next year and go through the same process again.
