The New York Giants are making a cruel business decision regarding star running back Saquon Barkley. Last offseason, the Giants slapped the franchise tag on the No. 2 overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft. They decided to tag Barkley after extending quarterback Daniel Jones.
The New York Giants made a mistake with Daniel Jones
One offseason later, the Giants are reportedly out on Jones as the franchise quarterback in New York. The wasted money they spent on Jones could have and should have been used to extend Barkley to a long-term contract.
Saquon Barkley wanted to retire with the Giants
Barkley, a native of the Bronx, wanted to retire from the Giants. Since he was drafted, he’s been the best feature of their offense. The Giants had the 2023 season to negotiate a deal, but they were unable to reach an extension by Tuesday’s deadline to use the franchise tag.
The Giants are choosing to let Barkley go
Per Adam Schefter with ESPN, the Giants are choosing not to use the franchise tag on Barkley for the 2024 season. He will head into free agency this month.
Giants are not placing franchise tag on RB Saquon Barkley, per sources. Barkley is free to leave.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 5, 2024
Tuesday’s result by the Giants’ front office is brutal and dumb. It has been in the making since the team valued an inept quarterback over Barkley. Barkley is becoming a victim of the league’s overall stance on running backs, which is that they deserve to be drafted high in the first round for cheap labor but are expendable after their rookie contract.
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