This projected Saquon Barkley contract should get things done for the NY Giants

Will he stay or will he go?

Come March 13, Barkley will officially be able to put the pen to paper on a new deal with someone, but the hope is that it will be with the NY Giants. Joe Schoen is trying to keep the two-time Pro Bowler in East Rutherford, but there's going to be steep competition for his signature.

So, what's about to happen? In a new piece, Bleacher Report has projected Barkley to stay with the G-Men on a three-year deal worth $27 million. The guaranteed money wasn't discussed, but a new contract with an annual average of $9 million would be sensational, for both sides:

The Giants keeping Saquon Barkley on a 3-year deal would be amazing

"Financially, returning to New York on an incentive-laden deal might be the best financial option for Barkley in 2024. An incentive-laden deal that keeps Barkley under contract through age 30 but gives the Giants the option of an early out—with most of the guaranteed money due in the first year—would make sense for both sides."

- Kristopher Knox

While speaking to the media at the NFL Combine, Schoen said he hasn't completely ruled out keeping Barkley with the Giants for 2024 on the franchise tag. If he goes that route, it would pay Barkley $12 million, but that number would be the same for NY's cap hit.

However, as Knox pitched, getting the majority of the guaranteed dough loaded up front and opening the door for a potential out after the first/second season could be what gets things done for the G-Men. Is this something Barkley would be interested in?

Saquon doesn't want to play on the franchise tag again and he wants to be paid like one of the top running backs in the game. In 2022, Barkley rushed for a career-high 1,312 yards and he followed that up with 962 more yards in 2023.

The injury history is a cause for concern, but Barkley deserves to get paid. Come on, three years and $27 million feels like good business and a win-win for No. 26 and Schoen. Let's see if they can finally meet in the middle and make everyone in NY/NJ happy.