Saquon Barkley Slams Lack of Loyalty in NFL Contract Negotiations

The New York Giants running back has learned that pro football is a business.

Offseason contract negotiations have taught Giants running back Saquon Barkley a hard lesson about life in the NFL. 

The six-year veteran shared what he’s learned with reporters on Thursday. Barkley’s outlook on how teams view players in regard to money and contracts has clearly jaded him. And he likely will apply that in future talks with the Giants or any other NFL team interested in signing him.

Barkley responded to questions about his current season and how that performance might factor into negotiations for a new contract. In seven games played, he leads the Giants (2–8) with 568 yards on 139 carries. 

Would maintaining a heavy workload during the second half of the season compel the team to view him more favorably in his next deal? Or might the Giants use his accumulated yards and carries against him to say he’s a worn-down product? 

Saquon Barkley is asked if NFL teams will see his heavy workload during the Giants' quarterback issues as "loyalty":

"Loyalty means nothing. No matter how loyal or committed you are, it's a business at the end of the day - that's something I've learned." pic.twitter.com/z6r1WWW5AW

— Giants Videos (@SNYGiants) November 16, 2023

“Loyalty means nothing,” Barkley told reporters. “Loyalty, that don’t mean nothing. No matter how loyal, no matter how committed you are, it’s a business at the end of the day. That is something that I have learned.”

Barkley could have become a free agent after last season, but the Giants applied the franchise tag to him. The two sides eventually agreed upon a one-year, $10.1 million contract with additional incentives. The team could tag him again before next season. 

Running backs have become increasingly devalued by NFL teams, with heavy workloads negatively affecting future projections. That’s another aspect of the battle players such as Barkley face in attempting to be financially rewarded for their efforts.