New York Giants had ‘good’ initial meeting with Saquon Barkley’s reps

The New York Giants reportedly had a good initial meeting with the representatives of impending free agent Saquon Barkley.

I’m told the #Giants and RB Saquon Barkley’s representatives had a ‘good (initial) meeting’ on Wednesday at the Scouting Combine, per source.

My understanding is, the team remains open to multiple options, including memorializing Barkley’s potential legacy as a NY Giant,… pic.twitter.com/Eu0HI7WOp4

— JosinaAnderson (@JosinaAnderson) February 29, 2024

The Giants have until March 5 to agree to a long-term contract with their star running back or run the risk of using the franchise tag on him for the second straight year.

Barkley has not been sitting idly by the phone waiting for the Giants to call, however. He’s been quietly shopping himself around in an attempt to gain leverage in any contract negotiations.

If he and the Giants can’t come to an agreement and is not franchise-tagged, Barkley will be joined on the open market by a slew of other top backs such as Derrick Henry, Austin Ekeler, Tony Pollard, and Josh Jacobs.

In addition to Barkley’s association with the Texans, there are a few other teams that would be interested in his services such as the rival Dallas Cowboys and Jim Harbaugh’s Los Angeles Chargers.

But it looks as if the Giants are ready to deal in good faith here. Barkley has made it well known that he would like to be a ‘Giant for life’ and owner John Mara has also intimated that sentiment.