NEW DELHI:
New York Giants
running back
Saquon Barkley
is poised to enter free agency for the first time in his NFL career after the team decided not to apply the franchise tag before Tuesday's deadline.
General manager
Joe Schoen
had indicated last week that the franchise tag was on the table, but the Giants ultimately chose against it due to the associated cost of $12.1 million, as reported by multiple sources.
Schoen acknowledged that using the franchise tag for a second consecutive year wasn't the team's ideal scenario. The decision comes after Barkley expressed his displeasure with being tagged in 2023, feeling that the Giants failed to make a long-term commitment to him. Barkley, 27, accepted an adjusted one-year tender offer for the 2023 season after totaling a career-high 1,312 rushing yards in 2022.
The Giants' general manager expressed optimism about reaching a new agreement with Barkley during discussions with the player's new agent,
Ed Berry
, at the NFL Scouting Combine last week. Schoen highlighted the growth in understanding the market and business side of the NFL, both for Barkley and the organization, over the past year.
Barkley, drafted by the Giants with the No. 2 pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, started 14 games last season, rushing for 962 yards and six touchdowns. He also contributed in the passing game with 41 receptions for 280 yards and four scores. In his six seasons with the Giants, Barkley has accumulated 5,211 rushing yards and 35 touchdowns on 1,201 carries in 74 games, showcasing versatility with 288 receptions for 2,100 yards and 12 touchdowns.
(Inputs from agencies)
English (US) ·