Now we know why NY Giants running back Saquon Barkley hasn't been happy with Joe Schoen and the Big Blue front office. While reports have stated that the Giants have offered him up to $14 million per year with incentives, we've been waiting to find out more about the guaranteed amount.
We now have an answer thanks to the NY Post's Ryan Dunleavy. Per the Giants insider, Schoen and NY's best offer has included $19.5 million in guaranteed money. While this sounds like a decent amount, it's not good enough for Barkley and it's easy to see why he feels this way.
Breaking: #Giants best offer to Saquon Barkley so far included $19.5M guaranteed, per sources.
— Ryan Dunleavy (@rydunleavy) July 13, 2023
Two franchise tags would guarantee him $22.2M. As one independent agent said about that $19M number, ‘No deal to be done that low.’ @nypostsports
The NY Giants need to up their guaranteed money for Saquon Barkley
Taking a look at the numbers for the next two seasons, Barkley will earn $10.1 million if he plays on the franchise tag this fall. If the Giants tag him next offseason as well, then that would result in him taking home $12 million in 2024. That's around $22 million in guaranteed money for two years.
That's why $19.5 million in guaranteed money from Schoen is not going to cut it - nope, not a chance. Barkley must feel a bit disrespected with this number. He's coming off the best year of his career, rushing for 1,312 yards and 10 touchdowns.
Yes, you can bring up the fact that his health has been a major issue in recent seasons, but he put that all in the past in 2022 with such a tremendous year. There's risk here for Schoen, but this offense can't be as explosive without its top playmaker on the field.
Word has leaked that Barkley will potentially sit out Week 1 if Schoen doesn't give him his long-term contract. In order for that not to happen, Schoen needs to put more money, specifically the guaranteed dough, on the table.
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