The vital question is what will the Giants do with that extra money to improve a team that finished 6-11 last season? Two of their team captains and most productive players, running back Saquon Barkley and safety Xavier McKinney, are among their 25 unrestricted free agents. And they need to add a quarterback because Daniel Jones is rehabbing after undergoing surgery to repair a torn ACL.
Schoen discussed these and many other subjects in his annual news conference at the NFL Scouting Combine.
Barkley was a free agent a year ago and received the franchise tag. Because the two sides did not reach an agreement on a long-term contract, he earned the tag salary of $10.1 million in 2023. That figure has risen to more than $12 million this year, leading to widespread speculation that Barkley won’t get tagged again.
Not so fast, Schoen said.
“I wouldn’t say the franchise tag is off the table,” Schoen said. “I think the new number if we’re going to franchise somebody for the first time at that position is, like, 11.9 (million), and his number’s not much more than that. So, salary cap changes your philosophy on how you’re going to attack things. That’s not off the table. We don’t want to do it. In a perfect world, we don’t want to do that again.”
Schoen said he plans to meet with Barkley’s representatives at the combine.
“There’s nothing new on that front,” he said. “The conversation, the plan all along, was to meet here in Indy and have those discussions about how we’re going to move forward with him. He’s a guy we’d like to have back. So, those conversations will take place this week, and we’ll see if we can get something done with him.
“I know he says he wants a fair deal and I appreciate that and ultimately, we’ve got to do what’s best for the franchise short term and long term. We’ll take all those things into account but look forward to meeting with his representatives.”
Barkley led the Giants in rushing (962) and scrimmage yards (1,242) and touchdowns (10, including six on the ground). Some of his numbers declined from 2002, but that was due in part to missing three games with an ankle injury.
“I wouldn’t say his value has changed, especially in the organization,” Schoen said. “He’s a captain, he’s a leader, he’s a hard worker. I think the world of Saquon and I still think he can play. So, my value for Saquon really hasn’t changed. Unfortunately, throughout the process, starting back in November…
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