Saquon Barkley‘s rookie deal is set to expire following the 2022 season, but the Giants running back isn’t worried about a lack of an extension. When asked if he’d play the upcoming season without a new deal, the former second-overall pick made it clear that he’s only focused about what’s on the field.
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“When it comes to the contract situation that’s not even something that’s crossing my mind,” Barkley said (via Pat Leonard of New York Daily News on Twitter). “I have an amazing agent. Those are things I have conversations with her about. But for me right now, the only thing I’m focusing on is coming here today, working my butt off, and trying to get as ready as I can so when I’m able to get back out there, I’m 110% and I can perform to the best of my abilities for my team.”
The 24-year-old is saying all the right things, and it’s obviously encouraging that he’s focused on his comeback vs. his next contract. However, there’s no denying that the financials aren’t at least being considered in Barkley’s camp. The running back has already dealt with his fair share of injures; a high ankle sprain forced him to miss three games in 2019, and a torn ACL limited him to only a pair of contests in 2020. Another injury would surely hurt Barkley’s earnings potential, so it makes sense to grab the money when he can.
Further, Barkley is underpaid at his position, especially for a player of his caliber. The running back has a base salary of only $850K in 2021, with the total-cash earnings (including signing bonus) valued at around $4.8MM. The Giants predictably picked up his fifth-year option, guaranteeing him $7.2MM in 2022, but even that chunk of cash would rank him ninth at his position (in average annual salary).
Barkley could easily make an argument for being paid like one of the top backs in the NFL. Following a dynamic rookie campaign that saw him finish with 2,028 yards from scrimmage and 15 touchdowns, Barkley followed that up with a sophomore campaign where he had 1,441 yards and eight scores (albeit in three fewer games). The former Pro Bowler will be looking to return to his previous form next year, and we recently heard he was rehabbing (but not participating) at OTAs.
Barkley was certainly flashy, but it didn’t translate into wins. Believe it or not, over the last three years the Giants actually had a better winning percentage when Barkley was not available.
The Giants did well in drafting Barkley but couldn’t follow through on the rebuild because they kept Eli and his huge contract too long.
That’s not very hard to believe. He’s played more games under Shurmer than Judge. But I would also imagine it’s not much of a difference as they’ve been pretty awful for the past five or so years.
This is why you don’t draft an RB that high. I don’t care if it’s Adrian Peterson 2.0
Why? Because the Giants are a garbage organization that can’t help its players?
Tons of teams draft RBs in the first round and are successful. The Chiefs did it in 2020, for example.
And Adrian Peterson worked out great for the Vikings, so I don’t get your point. Even in retrospect, the Vikings take Peterson again 100 times out of 100.
Different situation for the chiefs. drafting a RB didn’t make them successful. The Chiefs drafting a RB was the last pick of the 1st round. And he was just the missing piece for an already great/championship team. Giants were nowhere near being good in early 2018 and to make a RB the center piece was a mistake.
They’re all different situations, though. You can’t look at Barkley and just decree ‘don’t draft an RB that high’.
And who should they have taken instead? They were rolling with Eli, so QBs are off the board here. And don’t say ‘trade down’, because you need a partner for that.
But even if they did draft a QB, would Darnold have been a better pick? Or can we look at Darnold and say ‘this is why you don’t draft a QB this high’?
Totally agree, not a skill
Position anymore in the fact you draft high, life span too short.
My a$$!
He shouldn’t be worried about his contract. He should be worried about his job. NFL not for long. Someone is over his shoulder waiting for opportunity. Contract? Let’s have a 1000 yard season first.
If Barkley completely healthy the Giants offense could be great. That’s a huge IF. I wouldn’t pay him yet most teams lately have gotten rid of the high paid RBs. I bet Dallas regrets paying Zeke too early
‘Let’s have a 1000 yard season first.’
He’s had two of them.
How he underpaid for a player of his caliber? He hasn’t done anything. He’s coming off an injury and has had one full healthy season 3 years ago.