Giants & Saquon Barkley Resume Contract Talks
Giants & Saquon Barkley Resume Contract Talks
Plus: Tyreek Hill Under Investigation For Allegedly Assaulting Charter Employee
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In today’s newsletter:
Giants/Barkley contract talks
Tyreek Hill under investigation
DeAndre Hopkins Message To Future Teammates
Giants & Saquon Barkley Resume Contract Talks
Last night Ian Rapoport reported that contract talks have officially resumed between Saquon Barkley and the New York Giants.
"Talks are back on between the Giants and Saquon Barkley. Now, we'll see if they can get to a point where he could become one of the highest-paid running backs in the NFL. At the very least, Saquon Barkley is expected to be back with the Giants on a one-year fully guaranteed tag. It's just a matter of whether he's going to get the security that he wants. Time will tell on that one."
The Giants placed the franchise tag on Barkley in March. Barkley has yet to sign it. His goal is to secure a long term extension that pays him what he believes he deserves. The Giants and Barkley have till July 17th to secure a long term deal. If a long term deal isn’t signed by then, the only possibility is for Barkley to play on a 1 year deal which would most likely be the $10.1 million franchise tag.
If I were the Giants I wouldn’t cave to Barkley’s wishes. I don’t know exactly what he’s looking for, but the Giants would be much better off using the money they’d pay Barkley to secure more receiver talent for Daniel Jones, who the Giants gave a 4 year $160 million contract this off-season.
Right now Jones' top three receivers are Darrius Slayton, Parris Campbell, and Isaiah Hodgins. They did add tight end Darren Waller this off-season which should greatly improve the passing game, but the receiver unit is still one of the weakest in the league.
This really comes down to how you value running backs. There’s no doubt Barkley is an elite 3 down back. The question really is how much guaranteed money do you want to pay to a player at a position where longevity is a bigger unknown than at other key positions.
Guys like Barkley are at more risk for injury considering the toll taken on 3 down workhorse running backs. The Giants have already witnessed Barkley missing all but two games in 2020 after tearing his ACL. The decision makers in New York are likely debating how much guaranteed money they are willing to hand over and whether or not the reward outweighs the risk.
Recently Jeremy Fowler of ESPN gave more clarity on the situation.
“He wants more security on a long-term deal. I’m told his asks have been pretty reasonable. He just wants a good structure and a guarantee. He doesn’t want flimsy guarantees, and he wants something that will pay him out in the first couple of years as, you know, a well-accomplished back and Pro Bowl-type player. The Giants ownership really values Barkley. They see him as a potential Giant for life, so could step in to try to get something done closer to the deadline.”
Here’s how much the top running backs are currently getting paid per overthecap.
I wouldn’t pay Barkley more than $12.5 million per year. Aaron Jones has averaged 5.1 yards per carry in his career. Saquon Barkley has only averaged 4.5 yards per carry in his career. That stat isn’t the end all be all, but it’s telling. Barkley has stated that he doesn’t want to “reset” the running back market which means he isn’t looking to make more than McCaffrey.
Over the past few years we’ve witnessed the QB and WR market increase while the running back market has stayed stagnant. The GM’s around the league are making it clear that they don’t value running backs as highly as they once did.
The market is the market. If running backs were as valuable as top tier receivers, they’d be paid similarity. They aren’t. Running backs are risky investments. They don’t last as long and carry more injury risk.
Saquon Barkley and the Giants have one month to make their decision. We’ll see if they can find a deal that suits both sides.
News Around The NFL
Tyreek Hill Under Investigation
Tyreek Hill is under investigation by the Miami-Dade police department for allegedly hitting a man per local 10 news.
“According to a tip received by Local 10 News, at around 6 p.m. Sunday, Hill got into some kind of disagreement with an employee of one of the charter companies based at Haulover Marina that apparently ended with Hill hitting the man.”
According to Andy Slater, a talk show host in Miami, the member will not press charges.
“The crew member does not want to press charges at this time, sources say.
The incident, @WPLGLocal10 first reported, started when Hill’s crew tried boarding the boat without permission, I’m told.”
DeAndre Hopkins Message To Future Teammates
Hopkins is still a free agent after being released by the Arizona Cardinals in late May. Last week he met with the Titans and Patriots. Yesterday he shared this message on twitter.
The more wide receiver weapons the merrier. Adding top tier receivers makes it easier for everyone. Defenses will have to key in on Hopkins which should open up more space for his fellow receivers.
Right now the Patriots and Titans look like the only teams interested in Hopkins. But you never know. There could be a team silently pursuing Hopkins. We’re still a month away from training camp so Hopkins has time to make his decision.
More Stories Around The NFL
Patriots corner Josh Jones pleads not guilty to weapons charge
RB Sony Michel signs with the Rams
Ex-NFL scout debunks Chase Claypool Rumors
Random Stat Of The Day
In 2022 the Buccaneers (8-9) became the fourth team in NFL history in a full length-non strike NFL season to have a losing record and still make the playoffs.
Random Question Of The Day
“What is one item on your bucket list?”
One of my biggest dreams is going to a Packers super bowl. I was 13 years old when the Packers beat the Steelers in super bowl XLV. It was actually played in Dallas where I live. The tickets were crazy expensive and as a 13 year old, I didn’t have the funds. When the Packers make it to their next super bowl, hopefully soon, I’m going to do my best to get there.
That’s all for today!