The New York Giants have been dealt a potentially seismic blow after superstar Saquon Barkley has reportedly told the team he will not sign his franchise tag.
The running back was given the franchise tag after the Giants were able to secure a long-term deal with Daniel Jones - giving him a whopping four-year $160 million contract.
That meant a spot was open to tag Barkley, rather than giving him a long-term deal. The Giants do still have the cap space to agree an extension with the running back, but have so far opted not to, while Barkley has yet to sign the deal that comes under the terms of the tag
That's a decision that could prove costly, with Barkley seemingly not happy with the team not willing to give him the deal that he had hoped for.
Off the back of his best season in his career to date, Barkley had been a huge part of the team's success last season, with the team needing him to continue their forward momentum.
The 26-year-old was fourth in rushing and racked up more than 1,600 scrimmage yards to go with 10 touchdowns, playing a pivotal role in their run to the divisional round of the Play-Offs, following five straight seasons with a losing record.
But Barkley might be willing to sit out until the summer, hoping to make a statement to entice the team to sign him long-term.
Newsday Sports reporter Kim Jones reported via Twitter : "I’m told Saquon Barkley will not be signing the franchise tag & therefore will not be eligible to participate when the #NYG offseason program begins Monday."
The running back market has deteriorated significantly in recent years, with only Christian McCaffery and Nick Chubb signing big deals in the past two seasons.
Barkley had reportedly been asking for as much as $13 million per season on a multi-year deal, around the price which Chubb received - both players coming out of the 2018 draft.
Barkley is seen as a leader within the Giants team, being named captain last season prior to registering 1,312 rushing yards in 2022.
It is not clear on whether there will be a trade market for Barkley, but the running back could be dealt prior to the NFL Draft, with the Giants potentially looking to the class to replace him.
This years draft is seen as the most loaded running back class in recent history, with generational prospect Bijan Robinson set to go in the first round.
