With the NY Giants back on the field for Day 3 of OTAs on Thursday, the playmakers have wasted no time in putting on a show. However, there's also one very noticeable absence for the offense: that'd be running back Saquon Barkley.
The Pro Bowler remains unhappy with his contract situation, as the Giants placed him on the non-exclusive franchise tag earlier this offseason. Barkley, who didn't sign his franchise tender, remains away from the team.
Brian Daboll was asked about Barkley's contract issues while meeting with the media on Thursday morning, but he refused to comment on the situation. With Daboll's silence, it really feels like Saquon and the NY front office aren't close at all to getting something done.
Brian Daboll declines to get into any discussions about Saquon Barkley's contractual situation: pic.twitter.com/RXLPeqinki
— Giants Videos (@SNYGiants) May 25, 2023
NY Giants running back Saquon Barkley remains away from the team
Daboll handled things quite professionally, but you can tell he's not too happy about what's going on. Barkley, who posted a career-high 1,312 rushing yards last season, was offered a new deal during the bye week last fall and then another one early on this offseason.
Per multiple reports, the new offer Joe Schoen put on the table was around $14 million per season with incentives. Barkley turned that down as well, leading to the current situation Daboll and Big Blue find themselves in.
Barkley is the most explosive playmaker for the Giants offense. The thought of this contract beef leading into training camp is something no one wants to see happen. The Giants have until July 17 to finalize things with No. 26.
If a new contract isn't signed by then, then people are really going to go into panic mode about his availability for the 2023 campaign. The longer Barkley is away from the team, the more fans think he'll be a camp holdout. After seeing that video of Daboll talking about the situation, it doesn't give people a ton of hope that good news will be arriving in the near future.