Does Saquon Barkley’s Deal Improve the New York Giants’ Super Bowl Odds?

It’s been a stressful season for Big Blue. No one disputes that running back Saquon Barkley was a driving force of the team’s success in 2022, yet after being franchise tagged earlier this offseason, a contract dispute erupted. Now, reports indicate that the sides have come together for at least one season. The deal will pay the star ball carrier up to $11 million.

As the NFL teams commence training camp, check out our NFL futures.

Giants and Saquon Barkley Come to Terms

One of the major talking points of the spring and summer in the National Football League has been the relatively lower pay that RBs are earning. Joe Mixon took a pay cut to remain in Cincinnati. Melvin Gordon signed a small deal in Denver, and Josh Jacobs will not even report to Raiders training camp.

The Giants organization franchise tagged their star running back this offseason, which would have paid Barkley $10.091 million. With that done, both parties had until July 17 to agree on a long-term contract. Failing that, only a one-year deal could be discussed, which is what led the Giants and Barkley to where they are today.

The RB had not been shy to say that, should a better deal not be agreed upon, a potential tool in his arsenal was to sit out the entire season. Not only would that have meant a whole campaign in his prime gone in the wind, but the Giants themselves, who attack a lot on the ground, would have been behind the eight ball.

New York was fourth in the NFL in 2022 in rushing yards with 148.2 per contest. Barkley himself, in a rare season devoid of major injuries, tallied 1,312, bolstered by 10 touchdowns. He averaged 4.4 yards per game.

The Giants went 9-7-1 in 2022, good for a Wild Card spot in the NFC. They ousted the Minnesota Vikings on Super Wild Card Weekend before kneeling in the Divisional Round to the Philadelphia Eagles.