Between the Giants beginning Saquon Barkley negotiations in fall 2022 to HBO’s Hard Knocks: Offseason debut last summer, the star running back’s career path has come up numerous times. As Barkley prepares for his Super Bowl debut, more rumors about his fateful 2024 decision are surfacing.
The Eagles landed Barkley in free agency, authorizing a three-year, $37.75MM deal that came with $26MM guaranteed at signing. This represented a windfall for Barkley, whose bet on himself (via a 2023 Giants franchise tag) paid off. The Eagles were not the only Barkley suitor, with a few other teams being part of this derby during what became a historic day (March 11) for running back movement.
It is believed Barkley rejected two better offers to sign with the Eagles, according to the New York Post’s Ryan Dunleavy. It is both unclear if this pertains to better guarantees or a superior AAV, but Barkley may have been able to raise the boat for RBs higher this past offseason.
Barkley is a Pennsylvania native who played at Penn State; his decision to return home clearly looks like the correct play. Barkley stormed to the rushing title (2,005 yards), albeit after a strong push from Derrick Henry, and likely would have broken Eric Dickerson‘s single-season record had the Eagles greenlit usage in the Week 18 Giants rematch.
The Giants famously did not make an offer to retain Barkley, despite the former Offensive Rookie of the Year repeatedly indicating he wanted to finish his career in New York. The Texans presented him with a proposal but may not have been one of the teams that offered a better deal. A spring 2024 report indicating the AFC South club offered a three-year pact worth around $33MM. Barkley said he received four offers.
Barkley did say the Texans were the team that initially sparked interest, but he appeared on the Bears, Chargers and Ravens’ radars as well. Joe Schoen said a text received on Day 1 of the legal tampering period — the frenzied RB sequence — indicated the Bears were driving up Barkley’s price. It is possible Chicago received word Barkley was out before pivoting to D’Andre Swift (at three years, $24MM). Though, Swift was the first commit during the 2024 free agency period. The ex-Lions and Eagles starter joined the Bears within minutes of the tampering period’s outset.
Of course, illegal tampering regularly commences, as contracts are magically drawn up early during the tampering period annually. An Eagles tampering investigation did not produce punishment (unlike the Falcons’ Kirk Cousins pursuit). The Chargers also made low-level investments in RBs, adding Gus Edwards and J.K. Dobbins signed for less than $5MM per year between them. The Ravens added Henry at two years and $16MM. It is possible a stealth suitor drove up the Barkley market as well, but the seventh-year vet still fared well on the market — even if he did not take the absolute best offer.
Playing behind Philadelphia’s top-tier offensive line unleashed Barkley, whose playoff performance powered the Eagles to their second Super Bowl in three seasons. Barkley’s 442 rushing yards already rank seventh for a single playoff run. Only John Riggins (1982) and Terrell Davis‘ 1997 slate have Barkley’s postseason showing beat by more than 100 yards, which will be relevant depending on how many the soon-to-be 28-year-old RB amasses against the Chiefs.
The Eagles’ NFC championship game win also produced a $750K bump for Barkley, per CBS Sports’ Joel Corry. This came because the Big Ten product surpassed 1,000 rushing yards in the regular season and the Eagles won the NFC title game. Another $250K would come Barkley’s way if Philly prevails Sunday, ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter adds. Because Barkley triggered his NFC championship incentive, Corry adds that his 2025 and ’26 base salaries will escalate by $250K apiece.
He did not repeatedly indicate he wanted to stay with the Giants. He was quite silent on the topic.
This from Feb 10 2024:
this strategy would need to include a handshake agreement between Barkley and the team that Barkley would “bring his best offer back to the table before signing elsewhere.” Barkley has been vocal in his desires to remain with the Giants long-term. If the team has faith in Barkley’s sincerity, they may be willing to allow Barkley to walk and test the market under the agreement that they will have an opportunity to match any offers made to their franchise back.
“I wouldn’t be against that. That’s fair,” Barkley said of the suggestion. “They know where I want to be. Ownership said they want me to be a Giant for life, too. Last year, we tried our best at the end. Business happened, and we didn’t get it done
Better he left. A better draft pick for the Giants, and he’d have been a 1,000 rusher had he stayed.
“The Giants famously did not make an offer to retain Barkley,”
Not sure why PFR keeps pushing this false narrative. They “famously” did something that they didn’t actually do. Absolute nonsense. Giants made several offers to Barkley. He rejected them. You keep referring to Hard Knocks, well on Hard Knocks, Schoen revealed the offer that they made to Barkley. Here’s some articles about the offers the Giants made to Barkley over the years.
link to nbcsports.com
link to cbssports.com
link to nytimes.com
Last one is paywalled but the money quote:
“Barkley rejected a three-year offer during the bye week believed to be worth $37.5 million.”
“despite the former Offensive Rookie of the Year repeatedly indicating he wanted to finish his career in New York.”
lmao, you are buying athlete-speak. So, so many athletes say “I want to finish my career here in [whatever city]”, then immediately sign elsewhere. It’s PR spin. It’s like when a GM gives a coach a vote of confidence, then fires them shortly thereafter.
Saquon wanted to play for the Eagles. That’s it. Your article here proves it. Didn’t go back to the Giants to give them a chance to match. Turned down two higher offers from other teams. It is what it is. We don’t need to re-litigate it over and over, especially when you’re getting the facts wrong.
Stop quoting facts, this is a rumor site! ;)
NY Giants could have made sure they kept Barkley by placing franchise tag on him. By not doing that they gave Barkley chance to go to Philadelphia. Joe Schoen and his staff clearly misread the market and they undervalued what Barkley meant to there locker room and team. Also, the Giants coaching staff and front office are in the mode of what was most important building a team five years ago vs what is most important in today’s game. With teams playing two high safety, zone bend but don’t bend defenses, having a strong Oline, a strong running game and stop the run defensively are what you need to do. Giants drafted a WR instead of a QB in a deep QB draft. Traded away a lot of draft assets for a pass rusher and let the heart of there offense and defense leave in free agency. The only reason Schoen still has job is ownership request they tank big time in 2025 to make sure Arch Manning is on Giants uniform in 2026.. Schoen will be gone in January after he accomplishes this mandate!!!!