New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley said Thursday that he “had an epiphany” this week that encouraged him to dismiss months of failed contract negotiations.
Barkley signed an adjusted one-year, $10.091 million franchise tender on Tuesday, a decision that allowed the two-time Pro Bowl running back to report to camp on time.
“The reality of it is, one, I kind of just followed my heart. Honestly, I heard what everyone was saying in the news, on social media, but I kind of just followed my heart,” Barkley said. “And then you’ve got to look at it as a business point, from a business view. I felt like, what’s the best thing that I can do? Some people may agree or disagree with this. It’s a sit-out or a sit-in, and I feel like for this year specifically, the best thing that I can do for myself would be coming back, going out there and playing the game that I love, playing for my teammates, doing something that I wanted to do since I was a little kid.”
Barkley, 26, also was asked why he turned down long-term offers by the Giants — including one that reportedly had between $22 and 23 million guaranteed.
“It didn’t happen because, one, just being flat-out honest, the tag,” he said. “That’s the leverage that they have. I think if I wasn’t able to get tagged, I do think the negotiating process would have went a lot different. I think I would have had a lot more leverage.”
Barkley was the second overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft after a dynamic career at Penn State. He posted a career-high 1,312 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns in 16 games (all starts) last season while playing on the fifth-year option of his rookie deal.
Barkley also tied for the team lead with 57 catches last season. He had 338 receiving yards.
In 60 games (all starts) across five seasons, Barkley has gained 4,249 yards on the ground (4.5 per attempt) with 29 rushing touchdowns. He also has caught 247 passes for 1,820 yards and eight touchdowns.
–Field Level Media
