IT WAS OCT. 20, two days earlier than the Week 7 matchup with the Washington Commanders, and Saquon Barkley was taking part in a walk-though. The New York Giants operating again had simply taken the sphere on the Quest Diagnostics Coaching Heart when he observed coach Brian Daboll and normal supervisor Joe Schoen heading his path.
Barkley had fielded questions the day earlier than about the potential for being moved earlier than Tuesday’s commerce deadline.
“Yeah, that is not taking place,” Daboll informed his two-time Professional Bowler.
The Giants (2-5) let Barkley know they meant to maintain him regardless of their gradual begin, however that does not imply it is written in stone.
Extensive receiver Kadarius Toney was traded to the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs final 12 months, months after Schoen insisted he wasn’t procuring him, and Odell Beckham Jr. was dealt to the Cleveland Browns by the earlier regime after then-GM Dave Gettleman insisted he did not signal him to commerce him.
“I do not assume it made me really feel any higher or any worse,” Barkley informed ESPN of his dialog with Daboll and Schoen. “It wasn’t like I used to be too overly involved about it, to be sincere. And I by no means even considered it till the query was introduced up. I did not even notice when the commerce deadline was.”
If Barkley is not traded, he’ll grow to be a free agent or get tagged for the second straight 12 months after failing to achieve an settlement on a brand new deal.
The primary contract provide the Giants made to Barkley got here final November through the Week 9 bye. It was believed to be within the vary of $12 million per 12 months, not precisely the Christian McCaffrey stratosphere however within the vary of Cleveland’s Nick Chubb and Tennessee’s Derrick Henry, who had been among the many comps the Giants used. However these preliminary provides had mechanisms that made it undesirable for Barkley, together with $1 million per season in per-game roster bonuses — that means he would not get it if he did not play.
A number of league sources stated that is an unusually excessive quantity tied to such a bonus and one that may make gamers leery of such a deal. In the end, Barkley determined the quantity of assured cash wasn’t sufficient, so talks had been put apart till the offseason.
Barkley was six minutes from free company forward of the March 7 franchise tag deadline, and his brokers had been assured there was at the least one keen suitor who would pay market worth to get into negotiations with the Giants for his providers. However he by no means received there.
Barkley was assured $10.1 million on the franchise tag for this season. The Giants have the potential to make use of one other franchise tag subsequent 12 months for $12.1 million. That may be $22.2 million for the 2 seasons, which is commonly used as a baseline for the negotiations.
The Giants did not get there till the bitter finish, in line with a supply. The July 17 deadline handed and not using a deal.
Barkley took the danger and bypassed the marginally greater than $22 million assured. He shunned the recommendation of many in his camp and accepted an adjusted franchise tag that included a $2 million upfront signing bonus and had near $1 million in difficult-to-reach incentives.
Barkley was there on the primary day of coaching camp, unwilling to overlook it or jeopardize his need to be a “Large for all times.”
“I need to create a legacy, and the best way you do that’s by persevering with to stick with a workforce via your entire profession,” Barkley stated. “As I see the NFL and notice the enterprise, you already know, it is much less doubtless for that to occur for gamers. However when you’re capable of accomplish that, it is particular.”
SEVERAL OF THE NFL’s high operating backs participated in a Zoom name this summer season to debate how their place was unfairly compensated. Barkley and Indianapolis Colts star Jonathan Taylor had been among the many members.
Taylor requested a commerce three days after the July 22 name as a result of the Colts refused to increase his contact. Taylor didn’t take part in workforce drills through the summer season or coaching camp on account of lingering results from proper ankle surgical procedure, however after an usually bitter and public feud, the edges reached a three-year, $42 million extension on Oct. 7.
Barkley, in the meantime, did not miss a single day of coaching camp after skipping the offseason exercise program.
“Jonathan Taylor did a extremely good job,” Barkley stated. “You understand, sticking to his phrase, doing what he wished to do, and he received a deal completed.”
So far as what he discovered from how Taylor dealt with the method, Barkley laughed and stated: “I believe I did it flawed. I discovered lots.”
However Barkley stated he does not remorse how he dealt with his scenario and does not agree with the notion he caved by signing the tag. He stated he was suggested by his workforce — he added CAA agent Ed Berry within the spring — to deal with issues otherwise, which included not signing his franchise tag till later in the summertime and deeper into coaching camp.
“[I] stated, ‘You understand what? I will hold quiet — hopefully, you already know, simply present up, put a smile on my face, work laborious, do the issues the best method,'” Barkley stated. “‘Issues going to get taken care of.’
“And sadly, it did not. However you additionally might be taught from the best way Jonathan Taylor did it. On the finish of the day, all you need is to have the ability to say you set your self up, and get a long-term deal, and get cash that you just deserve — to assist for safety of your loved ones. And, hats off to him.”
ALIBAY BARKLEY WILL be at MetLife on Sunday to cheer on his son, although he’ll be sporting a New York Jets tattoo. Alibay raised his son to be a Jets fan.
In Barkley’s first matchup in opposition to the Jets in 2019, Alibay was watching as a Jets fan.
“Lastly for the primary time — I imply, it is solely my second time taking part in them — however he informed me that he hopes we win,” Barkley stated.
From the second Barkley was drafted No. 2 general in 2018, he was a success in New York. Barkley exploded onto the scene with a record-breaking season that earned him Offensive Rookie of the 12 months. He set the Giants rookie speeding document with 1,307 yards, led the NFL with 2,028 yards from scrimmage and had seven 40-plus and 6 50-plus yard runs.
Barkley was adamant final week about not desirous to be traded. He nonetheless feels a sure method for the group and has a life and household who feels at residence in New Jersey. The highlight of New York and the advertising and enterprise alternatives have helped make this his desired vacation spot.
“Why do I really feel like I am such a great match right here? I simply really feel that I attempt to be myself,” he stated. “Be actual, be genuine. And I really feel like lots of people might relate to that, particularly from this space.
“I used to be born in [the Bronx], raised in Pennsylvania. However my entire household is from New York. So I type of was raised with a New York mindset. “
And that mindset is not one which tolerates dropping. It’s a necessity as a result of the Giants have not completed a lot profitable since Barkley arrived. Final 12 months was the primary time in his profession they’ve had a profitable document or made the playoffs.
It hasn’t stopped Barkley from seeing this out to the tip. When requested concerning the workforce contemplating offers on the commerce deadline, he referred to as that “the mindset of a loser,” regardless of their present document.
The Giants are within the second 12 months of the Schoen/Daboll regime and Barkley believes the previous two weeks present they’re again heading in the right direction.
“That reveals you who he’s as an individual,” vast receiver Sterling Shepard stated. “Lots of people are going to chase the cash or no matter, he is in it for the best causes.”
This season, Barkley’s already been hampered by damage as a excessive proper ankle sprain price him three video games. He averages 3.8 yards per carry, which is tied for thirtieth, and has one speeding landing. However the Giants offense has been considerably higher with him on the sphere, averaging 321 whole yards in comparison with 222 with out him.
“I understand how particular it could be to assist convey the glory to this metropolis. And that is one thing I need to do,” he stated. “So although there hasn’t been that a lot profitable, I do not imagine in simply giving up and quitting. That is not how I used to be raised. I imagine in sticking via it, and combating via it. And you’ve got that mindset and it may change round, and I believe we’re beginning to see that.”
Barkley is aware of it isn’t superb taking part in on a one-year cope with the potential for one more franchise tag.
As one league government defined, if Barkley had the very best season of his profession, he could be checked out as having added considerably extra miles on his physique, not superb for a soon-to-be 27-year-old operating again coming into 12 months 7.
“I do know they are saying, you already know, if you’re 28 or 29, 30 — I do not imagine in that,” Barkley stated. “I really feel like again within the day these backs used to play ceaselessly. Used to play to of their 30s, play 10 to 13 years. And that is one thing I need to do.”
Whether or not he’ll be taking part in for the Giants in his 30s might rely on the remaining 10 video games, and the way issues play out within the offseason.