Here’s What it’ll Reportedly Cost to Keep Saquon Barkley in New York

Saquon Barkley and Daniel Jones have been through the thinnest of times in New York together. Going 9-7-1 this season, making the playoffs, and even winning a playoff game in Minnesota was rewarding for the duo.

Getting knocked out of the playoffs in the divisional round against the Eagles left unfinished business for the Giants’ 2017 and 2018 first-round picks. But with both set to hit free agency this season, they might not get the opportunity to see that through.

A Daniel Jones extension seems to be a bona fide priority for the Giants. But, as I said last week, the same can’t be said for Saquon Barkley. Barkley has made it clear that he wants to stay in New York. He’s also said he isn’t looking to reset the running back market.

“I’m not really too concerned about resetting any [running back] markets or anything like that,” Barkley said the day after New York’s divisional round loss to the Eagles. “I’m realistic.”

So, what’s it going to cost the Giants to re-sign Barkley this offseason?

In November, Barkley turned down a $12 million yearly offer during the Giants’ bye week. Negotiations halted at that point. Barkley said at the Pro Bowl a couple of weeks ago that he expected negotiations to resume the following week. Still, mum has been the word out of Barkley and the Giants’ camps if they have continued.

ESPN’s Jordan Raanan reported this morning that “the belief is if the two sides meet at $14 million per year, a deal could get done, a source close to the negotiations told ESPN recently.”

49ers running back Christian McCaffrey is the highest-paid running back in the NFL at $16 yearly. Barkley already turned down $12 million. So $14 million makes sense if the Giants offer it. The $14 million number is the epitome of meeting in the middle, given what we know about the negotiations to date.

However, that’s based on whether or not the Giants will go to that number. And if not, then I would expect Barkley to make less than that.

Running backs tend to be paid more by the team that drafted them and values them as players on and off the field. A player that can produce, as well as a locker room presence familiar with the way an organization operates. No one will value Barkley more than the Giants. While they may meet Barkley in the middle at $14 million, they don’t sound ready to do that yet.

The Giants value Barkley at $12 million, last we heard. I would use $12 million as the ceiling on his market value outside of New York right now.