ESPN: Saquon Barkley, Giants Aren't 'Panicking'; RB's Contract Requests 'Reasonable'

Saquon Barkley has yet to sign a long-term contract after receiving the franchise tag earlier this offseason, but the New York Giants and the star running back aren't "panicking" just yet with the deadline for franchise-tagged players to sign a new deal about one month away.

ESPN's Jeremy Fowler said of Barkley's contract situation on SportsCenter:

"There's no real movement on a contract yet but neither side is panicking because they have about a month until that July 17 training camp deadline. Barkley is due to make $10.1 million. He wants more security on a long-term deal. I'm told his asks have been pretty reasonable. He just wants a good structure and a guarantee. He doesn't want flimsy guarantees, and he wants something that will pay him out in the first couple of years as, you know, a well-accomplished back and Pro Bowl-type player. The Giants ownership really values Barkley. They see him as a potential Giant for life, so could step in to try to get something done closer to the deadline."

Fowler also reported Saturday that Barkley is a "real threat" to sit out training camp this summer if he and the Giants can't come to an agreement on a long-term deal.

The Giants placed the franchise tag on Barkley in March. The franchise tag for running backs in 2023 is worth $10.1 million, which is believed to be lower than what the star running back is seeking annually on a new deal.

Big Blue initially offered Barkley a $12.5 million per-year deal, which he rejected, before upping the offer to $13 million with the opportunity to earn an additional $1 million in incentives that would have brought the contract to $14 million annually, Bob Brookover of NJ Advance Media reported in May.

Barkley also rejected that offer, and the two sides remain entrenched in contract negotiations as the July 17 deadline nears.

The 26-year-old's market value is worth $12.3 million annually, according to Spotrac.

Barkley said at his youth football camp earlier this month that he just wants a fair deal and is "not trying to reset the running back market," according to Jori Epstein of Yahoo Sports.

The Giants have also been vocal about wanting to make Barkley a Giant for life.

"My dream is that he plays his whole career as a Giant like Eli (Manning) did, like (Michael) Strahan did, like Tiki (Barber) did," Giants co-owner John Mara said earlier this offseason. "I mentioned to him, 'Look what they're doing off the field now.' I think he would like that as well.

"We'd love to have him. He provides leadership. He's a great player. We'd like to get something done with him at some point."

The Giants selected Barkley second overall in the 2018 draft out of Penn State. He went on to have an incredible rookie season, rushing for 1,307 yards and 11 touchdowns en route to being named the Offensive Rookie of the Year.

Barkley also rushed for 1,003 yards and six touchdowns during the 2019 season before injuries derailed his career in 2020 and 2021.

The two-time Pro Bowler bounced back with a tremendous 2022 campaign, rushing for 1,312 yards and 10 touchdowns, finishing third in Comeback Player of the Year voting.

Given how impactful he has been for the Giants since making his debut, more movement in contract negotiations should in store over the next several weeks.