Someone is going to have to make NY Giants running back Saquon Barkley happy this offseason. Whether or not it will be the G-Men and Joe Schoen remains to be seen, but a new update on Barkley's side shows that he means business and that he's going to go after top dollar.
According to Sports Illustrated's Patricia Traina and Ryan Dunleavy of the New York Post, Barkley is moving forward with only CAA's Ed Berry for contract talks. As Dunleavy noted, Barkley had previously worked with Kim Miale of Roc Nation for more than five years. Barkley was in this same position last offseason, but ended up getting franchise tagged. Will Berry help him avoid that?
Good scoop by Patti.
— Ryan Dunleavy (@rydunleavy) February 1, 2024
Yes, Saquon Barkley is having Ed Berry of CAA -- who took over his contract negotiations late last spring up until the tag deadline -- handle the deal this time after spending 5+ years working with Kim Miale of Roc Nation. #Giants https://t.co/CAAmaqym8S
Saquon Barkley shaking up things for contract talks sends a message to the Giants
Over at the Senior Bowl, Schoen said that he spoke with Barkley once the 2023 campaign came to a close and that he'll connect with Barkley's reps at the NFL Combine. Now we know that it will be Berry to get in touch with Schoen in Indianapolis to see if an agreement can be reached.
Barkley has been wanting a long-term deal from the Giants for a while, but nothing has been able to get across the finish line. The two-time Pro Bowler has said many times that he wants to be a Giant for life, but he also understands this is a business and that the idea of playing for a new team has crossed his mind.
This past season for the Giants, Barkley appeared in 14 games, missing three due to an ankle sprain against the Cardinals in Week 2. The Giants went 0-3 in those games without Barkley. He posted 962 rushing yards and six touchdowns, adding four more scores through the air.
Only time will tell if this decision to shake up things with his reps will be beneficial for him or not, but if the Giants don't put the kind of money Barkley wants on the table, Berry will look to find someone who will. Barkley is beloved by people all over New Jersey and New York, but it's still quite possible that he has played his last game for Brian Daboll and Big Blue.