Saquon Barkley Goes Full Le'Veon Bell While Ironically Repping Steelers Colors

The Saquon Barkley situation feels very familiar to Pittsburgh Steelers fans.

PITTSBURGH -- According to Le'Veon Bell, the current outlook of the running back market didn't start in 2023. Instead, the fight between the NFL teams and their top runners dates back to 2018 when Bell and the Pittsburgh Steelers dueled it out over a contract.

Bell's career never turned into what he had hoped for when he left the Steelers in 2019, but the argument for leaving held ground at the time. After failing to reach a long-term deal with Pittsburgh, the All-Pro decided to hold out during the 2018 season. The next year, he signed a four-year, $52.5 million with the New York Jets. 

Fast forward to today, Saquon Barkley is in the same situation with the New York Giants, and after failing to agree on a new deal before the franchise tag deadline, he's now forced to decide on his status for the upcoming year. He could either sit out or play under the tag, and it doesn't seem likely he'll step on the field without a longer contract.

During an appearance on the Money Matters Podcast, Barkely addressed his current situation - all while ironically repping a black and gold striped shirt. 

"My leverage is I could say, 'F--k you' to the Giants, I could say, 'F--k you to my teammates,'" Barkley said. "And be like, 'You want me to show you my worth? You want me to show you how valuable I am to the team? I won't show up. I won't play a down.' And that's a play I could use."

Update: Saquon Barkley explains his leverage on the #Giants - 'F**k You'

"My leverage is I could say, 'F--k you' to the Giants, I could say, 'F--k you to my teammates,'"

"And be like, 'You want me to show you my worth? You want me to show you how valuable I am to the team? I… pic.twitter.com/py0VB9fdpO

— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) July 19, 2023

Barkley said he never believed he'd be in this situation, and those around him know he doesn't want to miss time or hold out on his team. But with no deal in sight, it could be headed that way. 

For Bell, his time in New York ended prematurely, playing just 17 games for the Jets before being released. He played just 17 games after that. Recently, he's opened up about how he shouldn't have left the Steelers at the time. 

That being said, in 2018, Bell had the same mindset as Barkley when it came to going out on the field without a deal. 

"When the end of July comes, wherever we're at ... if I sign, everybody'll be happy, but if not, I guess I gotta play it by ear," Bell said in a 2018 interview with Billboard Magazine. "If I'll be out till Week 1, if I'll be out till Week 10, or if I'm gonna be out there at all. It depends on how I feel at that time and moment.

Barkley is 26 years old and entering his sixth year in the league. Bell was 26 and entering his sixth season at the time, as well. 

An interesting situation for the Giants, and one that seems all too familiar for the Steelers. 

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