‘Talks backs on’ between New York Giants and RB Saquon Barkley

The New York Giants and running back Saquon Barkley seemingly resumed contract negotiations following the 2023 NFL draft but at some point, things apparently fell silent again.

Now, reports NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, talks are back on.

From @NFLTotalAccess: A look at where all the franchise tagged RBs stand less than a month before the deadline… pic.twitter.com/3ineCKRJQ5

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) June 20, 2023

“First of all, the Giants and Saquon Barkley, he said recently at his (youth) camp, he said he’s not going to make a definitive declaration of what he is going to do in the 2023 season until we get into that deadline and to be sure there is still room here for a deal,” Rapoport said. “Talks are back on between the Giants and Saquon Barkley. Now, we’ll see if they can get to a point where he could become one of the highest-paid running backs in the NFL.

“At the very least, Saquon Barkley is expected to be back with the Giants on a one-year fully guaranteed tag. It’s just a matter of whether he’s going to get the security that he wants. Time will tell on that one.”

As Rapoport alludes, Barkley previously left the door open to skip the entire season if the two sides can’t come to an agreement. That end always seemed unlikely and remains so as the July 17 extension deadline approaches.

Barkley has previously rejected a deal worth up to $14 million per season but that was presumably done because of a disagreement over guaranteed money.