Saquon Barkley says he ‘might have to’ sit out season, ‘say f— you’ to Giants after failed contract talks

Saquon Barkley has two choices: play on the franchise tag value simply over $10 million or not play in any respect.

The New York Giants working again is on this place as a result of he and the G-Males had been unable to achieve a long-term deal earlier than Monday’s 4 p.m. deadline – Barkley and the Giants can now solely negotiate wage for 2023.

However a holdout is now formally on the desk.

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In an interview recorded on July 11, six days earlier than the deadline, Barkley admitted that the majority of his leverage is gone, however the one bit he nonetheless has is the truth that he is in all probability the crew’s finest participant.

“My leverage is, I might say ‘F–k you’ to the Giants, I might say ‘F–k you’ to my teammates and be like, ‘You need me to indicate you my value? You need me to indicate you the way worthwhile I’m to the crew? I received’t present up. I received’t play a down.’ And that’s a play I might use,” Barkley instructed the “The Money Matters” podcast.

Barkley mentioned he by no means thought he would sit out as a result of “what actually issues is profitable,” however on the identical time, he must look out for himself.

New York Giants working again Saquon Barkley reacts as he’s launched earlier than an NFL soccer sport towards the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Jan. 1, 2023, in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (AP Photograph/Seth Wenig)

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“Anyone [who] is aware of me is aware of that’s not one thing I need to do. Is it one thing that’s crossed my thoughts? I by no means thought I might ever do this, however now I’m at some extent the place it is like, Jesus, I may need to take it to this stage.”

“Am I ready to take it to this stage? I don’t know. That’s one thing I’ve to take a seat down and discuss to my household, discuss to my crew [of advisers] and strategize about this – can’t simply go off of feelings.”

However that does appear to be an outdoor likelihood as a result of the franchise tag has given Barkley the motivation to succeed on the gridiron once more.

New York Giants’ Saquon Barkley performs through the second half of an NFL wild-card soccer sport towards the Minnesota Vikings, Jan. 15, 2023, in Minneapolis. (AP Photograph/Abbie Parr, File)

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“I’m at a spot the place if I do go on the sector and I’ve to play and show [myself] once more, I am tremendous with that,” he continued.

Barkley completed final season with 1,312 speeding yards, averaging 4.4 yards per keep it up 295 makes an attempt, with 10 touchdowns on the bottom. He was additionally tied for receptions on the crew with 57.

Huge Blue went 9-8-1 final yr, profitable their first playoff sport since Super Bowl XLVI in 2012.

Fox Information’ Scott Thompson contributed to this report.