New York Giants suffer blow as Saquon Barkley makes free agency admission

27 January 2024 , 01:00

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New York Giants star running back Saquon Barkley is pondering his future with the franchise (Image: Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images)

New York Giants star running back Saquon Barkley has hinted he might be leaving the team this offseason. Barkley, who's been a key player for the Giants over the last six seasons, is set to become a free agent in March.

The 26-year-old was close to leaving the team last year when contract extension talks fell through, but ended up staying on a one-year franchise tag deal. Now, with his contract due to end again, it's unlikely the Giants will offer him another tag, given its hefty price tag of $22.6 million - significantly more than the league's highest-paid running back, Christian McCaffrey ($16m).

Despite previously expressing his desire to stay with the Giants throughout his career, Barkley seems to have had a change of heart following last year's disappointing contract negotiations. When asked if he could see himself playing for another team next season, Barkley admitted: "Yeah, I mean it never crossed my mind until last year after I got tagged."

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He continued: "Up until that moment, I really believed that I was gonna finish my career as a New York Giant. You know, that was a goal of mine. And that's still in play. I have so much respect for the Mara family and the Tisch family and everyone in the Giants organization.

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"They know that but once you get to this point, you go to your contract negotiation and you go through the tag process, you realize how much of a business it is. And I remember vets always telling me this and you know I believed them, but you don't really know something until you go through it. So could I see myself in another uniform? Yeah, it's possible."

Barkley didn't shy away from expressing his desire for a long-term deal with the team, which they did not offer him before slapping a franchise tag on him - something he wasn't pleased about.

Barkley is facing an uncertain future and could move on (Getty Images)

After an impressive showing in 2022, both Barkley and the Giants had a setback this past season - finishing with a dismal 6-11 record, making them one of the worst in the league.

With a high draft pick on their hands, New York might be headed into a new phase with a brand new quarterback, many experts predit. Rumours suggest a link-up with LSU star and Heisman winner Jayden Daniels.

This comes despite Daniel Jones being signed in the last off-season to a four-year contract worth £160 million. He struggled big time in 2023, often being outperformed by rookie Tommy DeVito after his injury.

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Charlie Wilson