(Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)
The New York Giants began the 2023 offseason by franchise-tagging Saquon Barkley and signing Daniel Jones to a four-year extension.
It initially appeared that the team was going to sign Barkley to an extension but decided against it.
Barkley ended up signing a one-year, $11 million contract, slightly more than he would have been due from the franchise tag.
Giants general manager Joe Schoen recently joined The Rich Eisen Show to peel back the curtain about this decision.
“We worked hard, both sides trying to get something done, but we just couldn’t find common ground,” Schoen said.
What’s the Giants relationship with @saquon now and why did the team take the stance they did with their star player?
GM Joe Schoen called in today and we hit him on all the above and more. pic.twitter.com/12RT1gVdq9
— Rich Eisen Show (@RichEisenShow) August 4, 2023
Barkley was a massive part of the Giants’ offense in 2022 and one of the main reasons they made the playoffs.
With this in mind, however, a long-term deal wasn’t struck between the two parties.
This has been a growing theme throughout the NFL as running backs continue to be devalued.
Eisen did ask Schoen about this conflict between front offices and running backs, which he provided additional insight into.
When asked about his philosophy, Schoen said, “We’re confident in our process” regarding player values at each position.
He acknowledged that their process is different than other teams and that there isn’t a wrong way to go about it.
Regardless of the Giants’ process, they now have Barkley locked down for another season.
Coming off a playoff berth in 2022, the Giants have a sense that their Super Bowl window is opened.
Can they capitalize this season, knowing that Barkley is on the roster for another year?
The post Giants GM Explains Why Team Initially Refused To Pay Saquon Barkley appeared first on The Cold Wire.