Saquon Barkley Won't Sign Franchise Tag, Will Miss Start of Off-season Program

Barkley is unhappy with the franchise tag, which he is currently refusing to sign as both sides continue to work toward a new multiyear deal.

New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley, unhappy with having received the franchise tag, is not expected to be present on Monday when the team begins its off-season program at the Quest Diagnostics Training Center and is refusing to sign the franchise tag, according to a report by Newsday.

Because Barkley has not signed the tag, he is not under contract and hence is not eligible to participate in team activities, voluntary or otherwise.

Barkley, entering his sixth NFL season this year, failed to agree with the Giants on a multi-year deal during the height of free agency. Before that, Barkley, who finished the 2022 season with 1,312 rushing yards on 295 carries and ten touchdowns, turned down a multi-year extension worth a reported $12.5 million per year offered to him during the team's bye week.

According to the New York Post, Barkley is looking for a deal that would pay him in the $14 million per year range, thus putting him in the top three at his position.

Giants general manager Joe Schoen told reporters at the NFL meetings at the end of March that the two sides were back to square one regarding negotiations with Barkley and that the team's prior pre-franchise tag offer was off the table.

Schoen also added that the team would be okay if Barkley played on the tag, which would cost them a fully guaranteed $10.1 million.

The two sides have until July 17 to reach a long-term deal. Although Barkley could end up missing the entire off-season program if he doesn't reach a new multi-year deal or sign the tag, he is not expected to miss training camp unless he digs in and continues to protest having received the tag.

Barkley has been training on his own, as he does every off-season. Last week, he was part of a large group of Giants offensive skill position players who joined quarterback Daniel Jones in Arizona for a passing camp.

The off-season program is voluntary, so there would be no repercussions even if Barkley did sign the tag. That said, there is a mandatory minicamp, which is set for mid-June. But as long as Barkley doesn't sign the tag, he cannot be fined by the club for skipping that camp since he wouldn't be eligible to attend anyway. 

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