Giants Officially Make Decision On Saquon Barkley's Future

The New York Giants will not franchise tag running back Saquon Barkley, making him a free agent when the signing period begins later this month, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports.

"The #Giants are not franchise tagging RB Saquon Barkley again, source said. He’ll be one of the top free agents in a very good RB class," Rapoport wrote on his X account Tuesday (March 5).

Last offseason, Barkley, 27, and the Giants agreed to terms on a one-year deal worth up to $11 million ahead of training camp, which includes a $2 million signing bonus. The move came ahead of what could have been a lengthy potential holdout as both sides had previously failed to reach a long-term deal prior to their set deadline.

The Giants placed a franchise tender on Barkley, but he didn't sign it prior to the one-year deal and, therefore, wouldn't have faced any fines for skipping mandatory training camp as he wasn't yet under contract. The former No. 2 overall pick recorded 962 yards and six touchdowns on 247 rushing attempts, while also catching 41 passes for 280 yards and four touchdowns in 14 games during the 2023 season.

Barkley will now join a 2024 free agency class that includes several other standout running backs including Derrick Henry, Josh Jacobs, Austin Ekeler, Tony Pollard and D'Andre Swift.