NY Giants pick up Saquon Barkley’s 5th-year option: Salary cap implications
The NY Giants, as expected, will pick up running back Saquon Barkley’s fifth-year option, the team announced Wednesday.
Despite NY Giants general manager Dave Gettleman suggesting earlier this offseason that Barkley’s suddenly lengthy injury history would play a factor in whether the organization picked up his option, this was a move that was widely expected to be made.
In 2020, Barkley will count $10 million against the cap, but in his fifth-season in 2022 that number will drop to approximately $7.2 million, which is fully guaranteed.
Currently, the NY Giants are projected to be just over $18.6 million over the cap in 2022, but that figure could fluctuate based on any increased revenue from potentially full stadiums this season.
There is also the chance, that if Barkley plays well and proves that he can stay healthy for a full season, that the NY Giants will sign him to a long-term extension prior to 2022.
Barkley is making significant progress in his rehab from a torn ACL suffered in a Week 2 loss to the Chicago Bears last season, and Wednesday Schefter reported that Barkley is on track to make a return in time for the start of this season in September.
Through the first three seasons of his career, Barkley has rushed for 2,344 yards and 17 touchdowns, but has missed 17 games due to injury. Proving he can stay on the field, and fully effective for a full season will likely dictate just how long he remains in an NY Giants uniform.
Matt Lombardo is the site expert for GMenHQ, and writes Between The Hash Marks each Wednesday for FanSided. Follow Matt on Twitter: @MattLombardoNFL