Star running back Saquon Barkley of the New York Giants recently signed a contract extension that has left many baffled. Just days after a Zoom meeting among top football running backs to address their pay concerns, Barkley made a decision that undermines the cause they were fighting for.
Barkley’s new deal, a one-year agreement worth up to $11 million, was met with astonishment and disappointment. The contract includes a $2 million signing bonus, seemingly enticing at first glance. However, upon closer examination, it becomes evident that Barkley has compromised his leverage and future potential for little gain.
The details of Barkley’s contract are far from favorable for him. Rather than securing a long-term deal or at least a franchise tag, Barkley settled for a lateral contract with near-impossible performance bonuses. The bonuses hinge on achieving milestones such as rushing for 1,350 yards, recording 11 touchdowns, and catching 65 receptions. These targets are daunting, considering Barkley’s past statistics and the challenging schedule facing the Giants.
Perhaps the most perplexing aspect of Barkley’s decision is the foregone opportunity to become a free agent in 2024. By signing this one-year deal, he essentially resets the clock on the franchise tag, allowing the Giants to tag him again next year. This means that Barkley sacrificed the chance for a guaranteed $2.01 million on a second tag, in return for $909,000 in possible bonuses that are unlikely to materialize.
Barkley’s choice not only impacted his own future but also had repercussions for his fellow running back, Josh Jacobs. Jacobs, who was also part of the RB Zoom call, left Las Vegas without signing his franchise tag, likely influenced by Barkley’s actions. Moreover, by accepting a contract identical to the tag’s base money, Barkley failed to raise the bar for other tagged running backs.
Barkley’s decision to accept this team-friendly contract undermines the united message that running backs were attempting to convey regarding their undervaluation and low-ball offers. His hasty surrender to the slightest pressure dampens the hopes of future running backs seeking pay boosts. The hard-fought leverage that could have sparked change and fairer contracts has, for now, been squandered.
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