As Saquon Barkley’s contract dispute continues to loom over the Giants, the club made a move on Friday to add depth at running back with the signing of veteran James Robinson.
New York announced it has agreed to terms on a training camp deal with Robinson, who will now stay in the Big Apple after finishing the 2022 season with the Jets.
A 1,000-yard rusher as a rookie in 2020, Robinson has struggled to regain his form since returning from a torn Achilles he sustained in December 2021. The 24-year-old back saw limited time last season with the Jaguars and Jets, and will now join the Giants just over a month after his sudden release from the Patriots.
While Robinson’s long-term role remains unclear, his addition to New York’s roster indicates the club has, at least, already begun mulling contingency plans in the event Barkley isn’t available for Week 1.
After declining to sign the franchise tag, Barkley remains at odds with team brass after both sides failed to reach an agreement on a long-term contract prior to Monday’s deadline to extend players under the tag.
As of Friday, Barkley has yet to ink a new deal and, based on his recent comments, could be headed for an extended absence from his team. After floating the idea of a lengthy holdout, the 26-year-old spoke on his thought process going forward.
“Anybody [who] knows me, knows that’s not something I want to do,” Barkley said during a Monday appearance on The Money Matters Podcast. “Is [holding out] something that’s crossed my mind? I never thought I would ever do that, but now I’m at a point where I’m like, ‘Jesus, I might have to take it to this level.’ Am I prepared to take it to this level? I don’t know. That’s something I have to sit down and talk to my family, talk to my team [of advisers] and strategize about this. Can’t just go off of emotions.
“I can try to get as much money as I can, but what really matters is winning. I know if I’m able to help bring a championship to New York, that’s going to go miles more ahead than this contract.”
