Saquon Barkley Doesn’t Rule Out Sitting Out 2023 Season Amid Contract Dispute With Giants

Saquon Barkley has until July 17 to come to a long-term agreement on a contract extension with the New York Giants, or the running back will have to play 2023 under the $10.1 million franchise tag.

That is of course, if Barkley decides to play in 2023.

Speaking to reporters on Sunday following his youth football camp in Jersey City, Barkley did not rule out sitting out the entire 2023 season rather than playing on the franchise tag:

“I think that’s a conversation,” Saquon said. “Like you said, that’s a card I could play. That comes up in conversation if something don’t get done by July 17. … We got a little bit of time in between there. When that date comes up, then I’ll have to sit down with my team, sit down with my family and make decisions. See what we’re going to do. What’s the next game plan? What’s the next move?”

Saquon Barkley: “It’s all about respect.” Said he’s not trying to reset the RB market. Wants to remain a Giant for life. Sitting out the season is part of conversation if there is no deal by July 27. #Giants pic.twitter.com/tKPDIAOdVk

— Jordan Raanan (@JordanRaanan) June 11, 2023

Giants’ franchise RB Saquon Barkley confirmed after the Saquon Barkley Youth Football Camp in Jersey City, NJ today that he will not be at his team’s mandatory minicamp this week. Barkley still has not signed his franchise tender.

His words: pic.twitter.com/O8nFQujZG0

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) June 12, 2023

Barkley said he’s been frustrated by “untruthful” and “misleading” reports leaking about his ongoing contract negotiations with the front office aimed at making him “look like I’m greedy.”

“I would like to address that. I feel like there’s been some things out there that’s been misleading,” he said. “You know, obviously, the sources or the stories that have been out there, but I’ve been public, I came out public and I’ve been open about it. I said, ‘I want to be a Giant for life.’ This is where I want to be, and at the end of the day, it’s all about respect. That’s really what it is.”

Following two injury-plagued seasons, Barkley is coming off a bounce-back campaign, rushing for 1,312 yards and 10 touchdowns on a career-high 295 attempts, earning his second Pro Bowl nod — his first since his rookie campaign.

The 26-year-old has not signed the $10.1 million franchise tag and, therefore, will not be at the Giants’ mandatory minicamp this week. Barkley might not be attending, but his presence will be felt, with coaches and teammates surely asked about his status and importance to the club and their thoughts on the back sitting out the season.