The New York Giants have been embroiled in controversy this offseason and that shows no signs of slowing down. In addition to head coach Brian Daboll and his alleged volatility, the team is now receiving some public pushback from their own players in regard to running back Saquon Barkley.
Last offseason, general manager Joe Schoen inked quarterback Daniel Jones to a four-year, $160 million deal. That contract was widely panned not only due to DJ’s underwhelming career to date, but because it came before Barkley landed a deal of his own.
The Giants and Barkley went back-and-forth for months before the two sides ultimately agreed on a modified version of the franchise tag. It was far off from the big-money, multi-year deal Barkley and his representatives were seeking.
It also rubbed several Giants players, including Kayvon Thibodeaux, the wrong way.
This was always the risk of playing hardball with Saquon Barkley. Joe Schoen knew it. Everyone knew it.
Kayvon Thibodeaux isn’t alone in his thinking. He’s just speaking what a lot of guys in there feel. They see their best offensive player not getting paid. Plain and simple.… pic.twitter.com/X46518y9Dk
— Jordan Raanan (@JordanRaanan) January 26, 2024
“I believe in Daniel Jones,” Giants linebacker Thibodeaux said on the 7PM in Brooklyn podcast. “What I’m mad about is that Saquon — because if you look at the game, the tape, Saquon was responsible for at least 30 percent of our explosive plays, talking about the year [2022] we won the playoff game.
“So, for me and for the integrity of working together and hard work, and we all believe the same things, I feel like Saquon should have got paid first. That’s what I feel.”
Backup quarterback Tommy DeVito also recently voiced his frustration over the Barkley contract situation, suggesting the Giants call the Brink’s truck for their superstar back.
“That is my man,” DeVito told Complex. “I want the best for him in any way situation. I want them to call the Brink’s truck and come drop off the cash at the front door. Now I hope is for the Giants cause I want him to be in the backfield with me and all my team because I think he is the best teammate in the NFL, the best teammate I’ve had around.
“Obviously, I’ve played one year in the league but I’ve played a lot of football. He’s the best teammate that I’ve ever been around in my life. Hands down for sure.”
The reality, whether it’s fair or not, is that the running back position doesn’t yield the fruit it once did. The market is suppressed and Barkley has an extensive injury history. He wanted a deal in the Christian McCaffrey range and the Giants were never going to step over that line in the sand.
Had they signed Barkley to a long-term deal, they wouldn’t have been able to afford Jones on the franchise tag. And had they given both players big-money contracts, they wouldn’t have been able to sign linebacker Bobby Okereke in free agency. Nose tackle Dexter Lawrence or left tackle Andrew Thomas would have also been left without a new deal.
Still, despite those realities, the Giants have yet another problem brewing in the locker room — especially if they let Barkley walk via free agency.
