Giants’ Saquon Barkley franchise-tag drama is overblown


As soon as the New York Giants signed their future over to Daniel Jones, theri followers might anxiously pivot to operating again Saquon Barkley. Whereas the 2 haven’t fairly reached the stage of acrimony, it’s not for a scarcity of effort from the media. In the present day’s overblown headline is “Barkley reportedly received’t signal franchise tag earlier than begin of offseason program.”

Kim Jones’ report was so newsworthy that it received co-opted by Adam Schefter, and it’s good to see that aggregation is a top-to-bottom pattern in sports activities media. Now enable me to let you know why it issues — or extra precisely why you need to transfer on along with your day. Offseason exercise plans are probably the most menial duties of all of the menial duties which might be non-obligatory for NFL gamers. It’s like a summer season studying listing. As quickly as you say “non-obligatory” or “further credit score,” college students cease caring.

Anytime I see “offseason” or “non-mandatory” in a headline, no matter sensationalization the publication was making an attempt is misplaced. I might give a fuck whether or not top-of-the-line athletes I’ve ever seen — a man who does leg exercises that give me a hernia watching them — goes to be in form for a season that’s months away.

There’s just one motive why this Barkley information is related, and it’s as a result of he nonetheless has but to signal his franchise tag.

Regardless of the rigamarole, please, keep calm

To be clear, Giants followers have been at some type of defcon degree relating to Barkley ever because it was evident that Jones was going to get the absurd cash he requested for. The entrance workplace didn’t decide up the quarterback’s fifth-year choice for apparent causes, he overperformed underneath Coach of the Yr Brian Daboll, the Maras have been smitten (smote?), and gave Danny Spare Change loads of change.

That screwed up Barkley’s contract negotiations, however actually in all probability saved Joe Schoen the headache of making an attempt to re-sign the star again with ample cap house. It looks like Saquon is not less than conscious of his place’s market and is aware of he’s not getting an avalanche of cash.

That mentioned, Barkley has allegedly turned down a suggestion value $12 million to $13 million per yr, so he’s positively not comfortable over the $10.1 million he stands to earn underneath the tag. If I used to be him, I’d be understandably pissed as a result of operating backs don’t get generational wealth offers anymore, and being franchise tagged is the largest load of bullshit in a league rife with it.

My guess is Barkley needs Alvin Kamara cash, and the Giants are unwilling to pay that due to his damage historical past and the current historical past of paying operating backs. I agree with taking precautions to see how sturdy Barkley is. If he can keep away from lacking giant swaths of video games each time he steps on a cornerback’s foot like he did a few seasons in the past, he’s value an overpay — form of.

When ought to New York followers get nervous about Barkley?

I’d say freak out when/if he’s prepared to sit down video games. Play hen till he blinks. Shit, even when he misses the arbitrary July 15 deadline, it’s not a giant deal. Barkley mentioned he needs to be a Big for all times, in order that leads me to consider he’ll be prepared to place up with being franchise tagged as soon as.

My concern relies on how good the offense is in yr two of Daboll. Say it appears rather a lot just like the 2022 model, then it’s a must to retain Barkley so long as he’s wholesome. There at the moment aren’t any game-breakers on the roster aside from No. 26, and loads of open house that Jones finds himself operating by is a product of the eye given to Barkley.

If Saquon places up Kamara-type manufacturing, which is completely potential, mash the panic button such as you’re enjoying a Mario Get together mini-game. If not, and that’s what New York appears to be betting on, Schoen may have a shit ton of leverage and may be capable of get the quantity lowered.

Time will inform how idiotic/sensible the Giants are, but because it stands, they’re enjoying the playing cards dealt to them in addition to potential. Granted that’s after going all-in on Jones, however gotta play a hand someday.