The New York Giants will open training camp in just over three weeks but it remains unclear if running back Saquon Barkley will be present.
Despite some level of optimism that a long-term agreement can be reached, the Giants and Barkley remain deadlocked in negotiations. They have until July 11 to get a deal done or risk having talks tabled until after the season.
If no agreement is reached, Barkley will have to sign his one-year, $10.1 million franchise tender. Of course, he could also skip the season, which is something he’s left open as a possibility.
That end remains unlikely and Barkley certainly doesn’t seem like a player preparing to skip any meaningful time. He’s been training hard this offseason and that continued this week when he teamed up with San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel.
Saquon Barkley working out with Deebo Samuel 👀
I’m telling y’all now, 26 is going to have a BIG year for the #Giants 🔥 pic.twitter.com/NdmJWDZC1g
— HITSQUAD PRODUCTIONS (@HITSQUADPROD_) July 3, 2023
Barkley had also previously been spotted working out with Giants quarterback Daniel Jones and squatting nearly 600 pounds.
The best-case scenario for both sides would be to get a long-term deal done that satisfies each party but even if they don’t, Barkley seems like a player preparing to carry the load for the Giants in 2023.