(Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)
Saquon Barkley and the New York Giants starred in a bit of a standoff.
The star running back had let the team know that he had no intention whatsoever of playing under the franchise tag, and the team seemed reluctant to offer him the long-term, big-money deal he had been looking for.
Then, at the eleventh hour, both parties agreed on terms of a $11 million deal over one year, putting an end to the stalemate and allowing Barkley to suit up.
When asked about his decision to play, Barkley claimed that he thought it was the best for him to play the game he loved, according to Jordan Raanan of ESPN.
Saquon Barkley on why he’s back in camp:
“What’s the best thing that I can do … sit out or sit in … this year the best thing I could do for myself was play the game I love.” pic.twitter.com/LSx6GDSj5c
— Jordan Raanan (@JordanRaanan) July 27, 2023
Even so, one can only wonder if Barkley actually made the right decision.
From a short-term perspective, of course, it would be foolish to leave that much money on the table.
But Barkley had a chance to at least try and make a statement not only for himself but also for the running back market as a whole, as the players in that position seem more disposable now than ever.
The franchise tag for running backs is the only one whose value has actually dropped instead of risen, and that trend doesn’t figure to change any time soon.
Running backs are no longer paid as stars of the game, and teams will continue to rather take one in the draft and then let him walk away, as opposed to paying him a big contract.
Now, Barkley has no leverage at all.
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