Will Giants Play Tag with Saquon Barkley?

The Giants and Saquon Barkley want to continue their relationship. But if that doesn't get done by March 5, would New York consider using the franchise tag on him a second year in a row?

New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley is a free agent again. The veteran back faces a similar situation as he did in free agency last season. The Giants could let him walk in free agency, or the result could be the same, should the Giants choose to use their franchise tag on the back again.

So with the league's annual franchise/transition tag window set to open next week, all eyes will be on the Giants to see if they apply the tag by the March 5 deadline if they can't work out a long-term deal with Barkley's representatives during the upcoming combine. 

Bob Glauber, a retired columnist from Newsday and current Pro Football Hall of Fame voter, believes the Giants and Barkley would be best off working out a deal before a decision on the use of the franchise tag needs to be made.

"I think what would make the most sense would be an affordable, longer-term contract that would be agreeable to both sides. He's a special player. He is their best offensive player," Glauber told the Locked On Giants podcast.

The Giants and Barkley could not agree on a long-term contract last offseason. The same thing could happen this offseason, but Glauber thinks the Giants should bypass using the franchise tag on Barkley again and come to an agreement that benefits both sides rather than letting the running back walk out the door. 

"You shouldn't be in the business of giving away your best talent," Glauber said. "I understand the franchise tag. I don't know if it helps anybody if it's another year on the franchise tag because he's stuck in limbo."

Like many other teams, the Giants are hesitant to pay their star running back big money because of the wear and tear running backs in the NFL take. The devaluation of running backs across the league directly impacts the team's contract negotiations with Barkley. 

"It's unfortunate," Glauber said. "He's at a position, you know, with the franchise tag that the team has the leverage, and he plays at a position that the value of that is declining over time with running backs. We've all seen that."

"I think it would be great for Saquon Barkley to reach a longer-term agreement. And that could be; three years is not a ton of time. But in terms of running back years, it is. So I think at least three years and then some if you want to extend that contract, you know, for cap purposes."

Glauber believes the Giants can move on from Barkley and find a group of lesser-known but cheaper backs to collectively take care of the Giants' rushing duties next season. 

"The other school of thought would be, you know, you want to move on," Glauber said. "You draft running backs, which are much easier to find players. Not special running backs, but, you know, good enough running backs. And the bigger issue with this team is going to be, you know, who the quarterback is."

But given that Barkley still has value, if he and the Giants were to part, the hope would be for New York to get something in return for the running back, which is where a potential use of the franchise tag comes into play. 

Such an approach could protect the Giants and ensure they get something of value in return for Barkley now while allowing the running back to work out a new contract with another team willing to trade for him before the draft.  

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