Giants Country

Daniel Jones, Saquon Barkley Spotted Training Together

Here's why that's a very good thing.

Patricia Traina

Daniel Jones, Saquon Barkley Spotted Training Together
Daniel Jones, Saquon Barkley Spotted Training Together /
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New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones and running back Saquon Barkley were spotted training at a local New Jersey high school field together before meeting and greeting some youth baseball players.

The sighting, as reported by WFAN's Brandon Tierney, was more than just a heartwarming moment between two sports celebrities and their ardent admirers. The fact that Jones and Barkley, the latter engaged in a contract impasse with the Giants, was far more revealing.

For one, the unity dispelled any crazy notions that Barkley, who is working toward a long-term deal with the Giants so he doesn't have to play on the franchise tag this year, has any jealousy or resentment toward Jones, who got his big payday back in March.

It also reinforces the notion that if, for whatever reason, Barkley and the Giants don't get a long-term deal done by the July 17 deadline, the running back, who a few weeks ago told reporters that he hasn't ruled out skipping the season if his contract situation isn't resolved, was simply spitballing.

Barkley, who hasn't been shy about posting videos of himself working out like the beast he is, will be on the field for the Giants in September, barring injury, regardless of what happens with his contract. 

If he was that uncertain about his immediate future or that disgruntled with the Giants over the lack of movement on his contract, he could have scrubbed his social media account of any references to the team and broken off contact with his teammates during this downtime before camp.

Instead, there have been little hints that have bred optimism, such as Barkley working out with his Giants helmet instead of, say, his Penn State helmet and the attendance by his teammates and coaches at his youth football camp earlier this month.

The two sides have until July 17 to get a long-term deal done. Both parties will likely take some vacation time early next month before resuming talks to continue whittling toward a mutually beneficial agreement.

That's why the negotiations are likely to go down to the wire for both sides to get as much of what they want. Given reports that both sides have been engaging in conversation of late is certainly a positive development.

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Patricia Traina
PATRICIA TRAINA

Patricia Traina has covered the New York Giants for 30+ seasons, and her work has appeared in multiple media outlets, including The Athletic, Forbes, Bleacher Report, and the Sports Illustrated media group. As a credentialed New York Giants press corps member, Patricia has also covered five Super Bowls (three featuring the Giants), the annual NFL draft, and the NFL Scouting Combine. She is the author of The Big 50: The Men and Moments that Made the New York Giants. In addition to her work with New York Giants On SI, Patricia hosts the Locked On Giants podcast. Patricia is also a member of the Pro Football Writers of America and the Football Writers Association of America.

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