Less than a day after Saquon Barkley’s season with the New York Giants ended, the star running back spoke to reporters Monday and delivered a direct message to franchise leadership regarding his potential to be slapped with the franchise tag again.
Barkley clearly doesn’t want prolonged drama in regard to his contract status for the second consecutive offseason.
“They did it last year. So I’m numb to it,” Barkley said of a possible second franchise tag, per Pat Leonard of the New York Daily News. “I don’t have any feelings toward that at all. If you’re gonna do it, just don’t wait until March 5. Just get it over with. If not, let me go. Simple.”
Barkley also said he wouldn’t participate in individual exit interviews and added that the Giants know how to reach him if they want his input.
Saquon Barkley said he won’t be going up for an individual exit interview today. He said the Giants know how to reach him. Asked about the franchise tag, Barkley says:
— Pat Leonard (@PLeonardNYDN) January 8, 2024
“They did it last year. So I’m numb to it. I don’t have any feelings toward that at all. If you’re gonna do it,… pic.twitter.com/508Ya6AMAg
Last offseason, Barkley was franchise tagged in March—something he was openly unhappy about. His status with the team going into the 2023 season was up in the air until he eventually signed a contract that offered slight incentives beyond the franchise tender, but no extension has been reached. Giants general manager Joe Schoen was asked Monday morning about possibly placing the tag on Barkley a second time, and he simply said, “That’s a tool we have out our disposal.”
Joe Schoen says a 2nd franchise tag is a “tool we have” with Saquon Barkley pic.twitter.com/0yBP8NAmE1
— Talkin’ Giants (@TalkinGiants) January 8, 2024
“I’m not saying we will or we won’t,” Schoen continued.
On Wednesday, Barkley told reporters that he wants to play for the Giants his whole career but was clear he did not want to be tagged.
Saquon Barkley is asked how he would feel if he were franchise tagged again by the Giants:
— Giants Videos (@SNYGiants) January 3, 2024
"I don't think any player wants to get franchise tagged" pic.twitter.com/cMXguawfg8
