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Giants News: Saquon Barkley makes first public comments on contract issues

Braulio Perez
Braulio Perez

GMEN HQ

12th Annual NFL Honors - Arrivals / Cooper Neill/GettyImages

When will NY Giants running back Saquon Barkley join his teammates for the offseason program? No one knows and there's a chance Barkley could be a training camp holdout as well. As we're sure you're quite aware of, Saquon is not happy that no long-term deal has been finalized with the team.

The Giants, after signing Daniel Jones to his monster extension, placed Barkley on the non-exclusive franchise tag. With this, he's set to make $10.1 million next campaign, but that's not good enough for one of the best running backs in the game.

So, how does Barkley feel about this? In an interview with The Morning Caller's Keith Groller, Barkley said he's taking things in stride and only focusing on what he can control right now.

Giants RB Saquon Barkley is unsure of how things will play out this offseason

""Where do I stand with the Giants right now? It's like what someone said the other day - it's still April," Barkley told Groller. "I haven't had conversations with Joe (Schoen) too much. So, the best way I can handle it is to keep working. Whatever happens, happens." "
Saquon Barkley

Barkley added that he's going to keep grinding while he's away from the team and make sure his body is right for the 2023 campaign. That's not something that Giants front office ever has to worry about, as Barkley's work ethic is hard to match.

The Pro Bowler put up career numbers in 2022, reminding the NFL as a whole just how special he is with the ball in his hands. No one can deny that Barkley is arguably the most important player on this squad moving forward.

Schoen isn't ready to blink with the contract talks, though, which has plenty people worried about what might happen in the coming weeks, and months. Barkley wants his extension, but he may have to reduce his number by a decent amount of if wants things to get done.

READ MORE: Eagles trading for Derrick Henry would be a Giants nightmare

Braulio Perez

Braulio Perez

Braulio Perez is an NCAA Content Director for FanSided, joining Minute Media in 2017 after 2.5 years at the Newark Star-Ledger as a high school sports reporter and 2.5 years at the Lynden Tribune as sports editor. While with the Lynden Tribune, Perez was named the Sports Writer of the Year in 2012 for his division by the Washington Newspaper Publishers Association. At the Star-Ledger, he also assisted in coverage of college football recruiting. Perez's focus has been on college football recruiting, high school sports, the NFL, NCAA and English Premier League. He is also a regular contributor for 247Sports' Cougfan.com.