New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley isn’t ruling out missing the next football season.
In March, the Big Apple team presented the 26-year-old athlete with their franchise player designation. Both sides have until July 17 to agree on a long-term contract.
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If they can’t reach a consensus, Barkley has two choices: accept the day and make about $10 million in 2023, or not participate in the next campaign.
Penn State University’s product presented an opportunity to choose the second option this weekend.
“It’s conversations,” he said on the sidelines of a football camp he organizes annually for young people from Jersey City. As you say, that’s a card I could play. It will be on the table if we don’t reach an agreement by July 17th. We still have time.”
“You know me, I take it every day,” Barkley added. When the day comes, I’ll sit down and think about it. I will find the best solution for me.”
Difficult negotiations?
Last year, in his fifth season with the Giants, the second pick of the 2018 draft breathed new life into his career. After two tough and injury-plagued seasons, Barkley has rushed for 1,312 yards and 10 touchdowns in 16 games.
The soccer player also took advantage of the media visit to his camp to say he was frustrated at the leak of “false” and “misleading” information about the negotiations with the Giants. He even said it earned him a reputation for being “greedy.”
“I feel like there were some misleading things,” he said. I speak from the sources or stories that have been published, but I have spoken out publicly and been open about it. I want to be a giant for life. This is where I want to be and it’s about respect. It really is.”