Saquon Barkley Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Giants' offer before deadline to Saquon Barkley revealed

By Zac Wassink | Last updated 7/17/23

There's more information about what the New York Giants offered running back Saquon Barkley before Monday's deadline for teams to sign franchise-tagged players came and went without the sides coming to an agreement.

Giants beat writer Art Stapleton of NorthJersey.com reported that the franchise increased financial guarantees to "a smidge above" $22M in recent talks with Barkley's camp. Conflicting stories emerged last week claiming that New York offered Barkley $19.5M guaranteed, but Ryan Dunleavy of the New York Post noted Monday afternoon that "the Giants upped the guaranteed to slightly north of $22M but lowered the average annual value" originally said to have been worth $13M per year.

Barkley is on track to earn $10.091M on the franchise tag for 2023 and would make roughly $22.2M guaranteed, total, if the Giants again use the tag to retain his rights next year. The 26-year-old seemed to respond to Monday's developments via Twitter:

It is what it is
— Saquon Barkley (@saquon) July 17, 2023

Both Stapleton and Dunleavy said Barkley likely won't sign the franchise tag in time to report for training camp next week. ESPN pointed out that players who leave tags unsigned cannot be fined for skipping camp sessions, but it's been suggested Barkley could forfeit at least one game check by staying away from the Giants through their regular-season opener against the Dallas Cowboys on Sept. 10.

Most assume Barkley will sign the tag in time to play against Dallas rather than risk losing $594,000 in guaranteed money, or 1/17th the price of the tag. Interestingly, Dunleavy added it is "unlikely" the Giants will consider rescinding the unsigned franchise tag because "they see the full Barkley on- and off-field package as a value at that ($10.091M) tag." Rescinding the tag would result in Barkley immediately hitting free agency.

The Giants used the franchise tag to retain Barkley's rights back on March 7 shortly after it was learned they and quarterback Daniel Jones agreed to a four-year contract reportedly worth up to $160M with $82M fully guaranteed. Per ESPN stats, Barkley finished the 2022 regular season fourth in the NFL with 1,312 rushing yards and 295 carries (both career highs). He scored 10 rushing touchdowns and was tied for the team lead with 57 receptions.

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