The Giants will have one of their best players at the start of training camp, after all. The team announced on Tuesday that star running back Saquon Barkley signed a one-year contract with the team.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Saquon Barkley’s one-year deal is worth $10.1 million fully guaranteed, including a $2 million upfront signing bonus. The agreement includes $1 million of incentives with an equal amount paid for 1,300 rushing yards, 11 touchdowns, and 65 receptions. However, according to Schefter, Barkley did not get a “no franchise tag” clause, meaning the Giants can tag him again after this season.
Barkley, who some expected not to report to training camp, had not signed the franchise tender he received on March 7 and did not reach an agreement with the Giants on a long-term contract by the July 17 deadline, but the two sides worked things out, and Barkley will be on the field for the first day of training camp.
“Obviously, we are glad we were able to work things out with Saquon,” said general manager Joe Schoen in a press release. “We all recognize the player and person Saquon is and what he means to our team. He is a good teammate, a leader, and a really good player. We are looking forward to getting on the field tomorrow.”
Last season, the sixth-year veteran started each of the first 16 regular-season games before he was one of numerous inactive regulars in the season finale at Philadelphia, the first time since his 2018 Rookie of the Year season that the 26-year-old Barkley did not miss a game due to injury. Barkley was selected to his second Pro Bowl and was one of three players nominated for the NFL Comeback Player of the Year award.
Barkley finished with career-high totals of 295 carries for 1,312 yards – the NFL’s fourth-highest total – and rushed for 10 touchdowns, one less than his career-high rookie total. He had 133 more attempts, 719 more yards, and eight more rushing touchdowns than he produced in 13 games in 2021.
Other moves:
*The Giants signed free agent outside linebacker Tashawn Bower.
Bower, 28, is a 6-5, 250-pounder who has played in 26 regular-season games with three starts for Minnesota, New England and Las Vegas. He has 23 tackles (16 solo), 2.0 sacks and four tackles for loss. In 2022, Bower played in six games for the Raiders.
Bower is a New Jersey native who played four seasons at LSU.
*Linebacker Elerson Smith (heel) was waived/injured. A fourth-round draft choice in 2021, Smith played in just 13 games in two seasons, including five last year, because of injuries. His totals included five tackles (one solo), two quarterback hits, six special teams tackles and one forced fumble on special teams.
*Defensive back Trenton Thompson was waived.
Signed as a rookie free agent last year, Thompson played in one game, Thanksgiving Day in Dallas.
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