New York Giants general manager Joe Schoen has a long ‘to-do’ list this offseason but nothing more important than retaining two of his top team captains — running back Saquon Barkley and safety Xavier McKinney.
Speaking to reporters on Tuesday morning at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis, Schoen said he wants both players back and intends to meet with their reps this week.
#Giants GM Joe Schoen speaks with media at #NFLCombine
Says they’d like to have RB Saquon Barkley and S Xavier McKinney back.
They’ll meet this week with each players representatives pic.twitter.com/J0Jzwz8Auu
— Charlotte Carroll (@charlottecrrll) February 27, 2024
Scheon also said the franchise tag for Barkley is “not off the table” but would prefer not to have to go that route.
The Giants used the franchise tag on Barkley last year, who then proceeded to hold out. The two sides later agreed to terms on a modified one-year deal.
The franchise tag this season for Barkley will cost the Giants approximately $12.4 million, an expense they’d rather avoid or defray via inking him to a longer-term deal.
McKinney’s franchise tag price is in excess of $17 million for this season, which is much too high for a player they like but still have questions about. Using the franchise tag on McKinley would run the Giants approximately $13.8 million this season.
Although Schoen would like to re-sign both, the free agent market may price them out of range.
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