Giants GM on Saquon Barkley Contract Talks: 'He's a Guy We'd Like to Have Back'

New York Giants general manager Joe Schoen said running back Saquon Barkley is "a guy we'd like to have back" ahead of the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis.

Schoen didn't rule out applying the franchise tag to the two-time Pro Bowler, which is contrary to what was initially reported.

ESPN's Adam Schefter reported Monday the Giants are "unlikely" to tag Barkley but could negotiate toward his return to New York on different terms.

There's a clear distinction between broadly wanting Barkley back on the roster and wanting him back enough to where the front office is willing to meet his asking price.

Last offseason, the Giants applied the franchise tag to the 27-year-old and that seemed to be the end of it. Schoen said in March 2023 the team "stepped back" after tagging him.

Especially after Barkley's production declined slightly, it's reasonable to assume that will be the approach again.

The 6'0", 232-pound ball-carrier ran for 962 yards and six touchdowns while averaging 3.9 yards per carry. He also caught 41 passes for 280 yards and four scores. His 1,242 yards from scrimmage were his second-fewest in a season where he played the majority of the campaign.

In general, Barkley's downturn demonstrated why the Giants didn't bend over backwards to give him a long-term deal last offseason. Now, he could get squeezed even more.

Schefter reported Josh Jacobs (Las Vegas Raiders) and Tony Pollard (Dallas Cowboys), like Barkley, won't be getting the franchise tag from their respective teams for a second successive season. They join a free-agent market that includes Derrick Henry, Austin Ekeler and D'Andre Swift.

Having so many proven players at the position available at the same time is bound to hurt everyone's leverage.

For the Giants, it may not actually be that difficult to retain Barkley on what's a team-friendly contract.