Joe Schoen gives fans Saquon Barkley hope moments after the draft ended
It looks like Joe Schoen has been cooking in more ways than one over the past couple of weeks. With the NFL Draft getting started on Thursday, he was working overtime in making sure Big Blue was about to get things right with their picks. They sure did, with Deonte Banks, John Michael Schmitz and Jalin Hyatt being the first three selections.
As it turns out, Schoen was also working behind the scenes on trying to make Saquon Barkley happy. While speaking to the media shortly after making his final pick in the draft, Schoen revealed that he reconnected with Barkley's reps last week. Not only that, but the two sides will be ready to chat once again soon.
Joe Schoen said Giants re-opened dialogue with Saquon Barkley's representatives last week and both sides agreed that they would circle back after the draft, to see where talks go.
— Art Stapleton (@art_stapleton) April 29, 2023
Giants GM Joe Schoen will speak with Saquon Barkley's reps soon about a new deal
In the fifth round of the NFL Draft, the Giants and Schoen ended up picking Oklahoma running back Eric Gray. Gray rushed for 1,366 yards and 11 touchdowns last season for the Sooners. Gray is certainly a quality back, but he was taken to provide depth for the RBs room and not be a starter.
That job belongs to Barkley, one of the most explosive players in the game. Barkley returned to Pro Bowl form this past season, rushing for 1,312 yards and 10 touchdowns. Barkley was placed on the non-exclusive franchise tag, which would result in him making $10.1 million next campaign.
Joe Schoen said they will “reconvene” and have conversations with Saquon Barkley’s representatives about a new contract after the draft. Schoen said they’ve even had talks recently about a contract extension.
— Jordan Raanan (@JordanRaanan) April 29, 2023
That's not what No. 26 wants to happen, though, which is why he didn't sign his franchise tender - resulting in him missing the start of the offseason program as well. With people worried Barkley could be a camp holdout, they're hoping a contract extension will be on the way for him instead.
Schoen previously said that an offer was no longer on the table for Barkley earlier in the offseason. Now, though, Schoen looks ready to roll his sleeves up and see if something can get done. After crushing it in the draft, there's more work to be done for Schoen and figuring things out with Barkley must be a priority.
READ MORE: Giants draft Oklahoma RB Eric Gray in the fifth round