Expert predicts new contract for Giants' Saquon Barkley

One NFL contract expert believes the New York Giants and running back Saquon Barkley will put pen to paper on a new deal at some point this summer. 

"Barkley has been public both about his dissatisfaction with the Giants' recent contract offers, and with the possibility of playing out a franchise tag in 2023," Spotrac co-founder and editor Michael Ginnitti wrote for a piece published Monday. "Something’s going to need to give as the (July 17) extension deadline approaches — because sitting out just hasn’t proven to be the stance it used to be. He’s worth a two-year guarantee, even with the health risks." 

Ginnitti went on to predict that Barkley and the Giants will sign a four-year contract worth up to $60M with $25M fully guaranteed. To compare, Barkley would earn roughly $22.22M if he played on the franchise tag for the 2023 and 2024 seasons. 

Injuries limited Barkley to just 15 regular-season games across the 2020 and 2021 campaigns, but the 26-year-old most recently enjoyed a bounce-back season playing under first-year head coach Brian Daboll. 

Per ESPN stats, Barkley finished the 2022 regular season fourth among all players with 1,312 rushing yards and 295 carries, and he was ninth with 10 rushing touchdowns. Additionally, the 2018 first-round draft pick contributed 57 catches for 338 yards. 

The Giants locked quarterback Daniel Jones down via a four-year contract in March that allowed the team to use the non-exclusive franchise tag to retain Barkley's rights. It's been reported that general manager Joe Schoen is happy to have Barkley play this season on the tag, but the ball-carrier suggested earlier this month he could forfeit money and sit meaningful games out if he and the Giants don't come to terms on a deal before the July 17 deadline for teams to sign tagged players. 

Kansas City Chiefs All-Pro tight end Travis Kelce is among the noteworthy members of the NFL community who have advised Barkley to play on the tag later this season, if necessary, at a time when teams have devalued veteran running backs. 

Logic suggests Barkley's camp should run to the negotiating table to accept any proposal that includes $25M in fully-guaranteed cash, but it's unclear if the Giants will make such an offer before July 17.