Saquon Barkley News

ESPN's Jordan Ranaan reports that the New York Giants "will continue to negotiate" with running back Saquon Barkley on a potential long-term deal. The Giants applied the franchise tag to Barkley just before the official deadline and only after they were able to work out a new contract with quarterback Daniel Jones, but it seems like the team is still interested in ensuring that Barkley stays with their squad for longer than just the one season the tag allows for. The second-overall pick of the 2018 NFL Draft played a critical role in the team's surprising success in the 2022 season. Barkley put up 1,650 yards from scrimmage and amassed 10 touchdowns in his 2022 campaign, his best season since his debut in 2018. The star back could have commanded a large contract if he had been able to hit the open market, but has also previously expressed a desire to remain with the Giants. Gary Brightwell is currently the only other running back the team has under contract for the 2023 NFL season.

The New York Giants used their franchise tag on running back Saquon Barkley on Tuesday. Shortly after agreeing to a four-year extension with quarterback Daniel Jones, the Giants used their franchise tag on Barkley. He will earn $10.1 million for the 2023-24 season. In 16 games started last season, Barkley produced 1,312 rushing yards and 10 rushing touchdowns on 295 attempts while catching 57 of 76 targets for 338 receiving yards.

Meanwhile, the Giants agreed to a four-year contract with Daniel Jones, and with a deal for the quarterback in place, the team elected to assign its franchise tag to Barkley. Under the terms of the franchise tender, the star running back is in line to make $10.09 million in 2023.

Barkley's otherwise quiet night was highlighted by a 39-yard scamper on the Giants' only scoring drive, and his overall touches were limited by game script. The talented back finished a resurgent regular season with 1,312 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns on 295 carries while also bringing in 57 of 76 targets for 338 yards and no lost fumbles. However, he logged just nine carries apiece in the Giants' two postseason contests, although he did score twice in the wild-card win over the Vikings. Barkley is slated to become an unrestricted free agent at the start of the new league year, but given this season's results, there should certainly be interest in keeping him in the Big Apple.

While Daniel Jones wound up leading the Giants in both carries and rushing yards, Barkley made his touches on the ground count, scoring his team's first points on a 28-yard dash in the first quarter and then plunging into the end zone from two yards out in the fourth for what proved to be the winning touchdown. The star running back will now set his sights on the Eagles in the divisional round, a defense that held Barkley to only 48 scrimmage yards in their only meeting during the regular season.

The New York Giants listed Saquon Barkley (rest) as inactive for the team's Week 18 game against the Philadelphia Eagles. Barkley will take the day off as the Giants finish off their regular season against the Eagles. The team is also resting quarterback Daniel Jones, meaning Davis Webb will make his first start. Barkley will finish the regular season with 295 carries, 1,312 rushing yards, and 10 rushing scores, as well as with 57 catches for 338 more receiving yards.