27 July 2023 , 19:16
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Saquon Barkley said an "epiphany" led him to sign a one-year deal with the New York Giants after a bitter contract dispute dragged on for several months.
Barkley, 26, and the Giants were unable to agree to a long-term extension for the star running back before the deadline on July 17 after he was franchise tagged. Barkley was looking for more than the $10.1million (£7.9m) salary he would have earned on the franchise tag, plus the security of a multi-year deal.
As the Giants held firm as the deadline passed, Barkley threatened to say "f*** you" to the team and hold out from training camp and, potentially, the start of the regular season.
But he surprisingly reversed his decision and signed a one-year $11m (£8.6m) contract – including a $2m (£1.5m) signing bonus) with the team in time to take part in the opening day of training camp on Tuesday.
On Thursday, he broke his silence and explained his dramatic U-turn as the two-time Pro Bowler prepares for a sixth season with "Big Blue".
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"I had an epiphany," Barkley said at a press conference. "The reality of it is, one, I kind of just followed my heart. Honestly, I heard what everyone was saying in the news, on social media, but I kind of just followed my heart.
"And then you've got to look at it as a business point, from a business view. I felt like, what's the best thing that I can do?
Brian Daboll said "Normal Saquon" has been on show at the team facility this week. (Rich Schultz/Getty Images)"Some people may agree or disagree with this. It's a sit-out or a sit-in, and I feel like for this year specifically, the best thing that I can do for myself would be coming back, going out there and playing the game that I love, playing for my teammates, doing something that I wanted to do since I was a little kid.
"I understand. I know what's going on with the running back situation and me being tagged, and the value of the running back continuing going down. The only way that I feel like that's gonna change is someone's gotta make a change, and God-willing, hopefully, I can be one of those people to do it."
Barkley is one of the NFL's most dynamic backs and he was back to his best form in 2022 after suffering a torn anterior cruciate ligament two years previously. He ran for 1,312 yards and 10 touchdowns as the Giants reached the divisional round of the playoffs in an impressive first year for rookie head coach Brian Daboll.
Daboll has stayed quiet in the press about Barkley's contract situation, which had rumbled along over the past six months, and he was typically short with his words when he spoke to reporters on Thursday. When asked what he saw from Barkley on the field in his first practice, Daboll replied: "Normal Saquon".