Will a deal get done?
The Giants and running back Saquon Barkley has until July 17 to work out a new deal as New York placed the $10.1 million franchise tag on him, which he has yet to sign.
TO PURCHASE GIANTS TICKETS, VISIT: VIVIDSEATS
The financial landscape of the position has changed, which is contributing to this contract impasse. But Chargers running back Austin Ekeler believes players like Barkley and Raiders running back Josh Jacobs need to hold their ground to combat the shift in how the position is paid. Ekeler said on The Rich Eisen Show:
“The trend right now is not to pay running backs, so everyone is like ‘OK, we don’t have to do it either then,’” Ekeler said. “Whether it’s right, wrong or indifferent, it is what it is. It’s going to take something, whether some guy stands out again, whether it’s this year, one of these guys holds out and gets a big contract, but we need that needle to move to push us over the edge, because here’s the deal: salary cap goes up every single year. So you see new highs in every single position.”
Barkley, 26, wants a multi-year deal and is prepared to sit out if that doesn’t happen, ESPN’s Dianna Russini suggested Wednesday. Barkley would be guaranteed $22.2 million over two years if he were to be franchise-tagged next season as well.
Want to bet on NFL?
See the best NYC Sports Betting sites
The Giants placed the franchise tag on Barkley on March 7 and have until 4 p.m. Monday to work out a deal with him that is more than one year in length.
Barkley, a two-time Pro Bowler, scored 10 touchdowns on 1,312 yards rushing and 338 yards receiving last season. He averaged 4.4 yards per rushing attempt.
Bridget Hyland may be reached at [email protected].
Read the full article here
Leave a Reply