No tag for Giants RB Saquon Barkley

New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley appears headed for free agency for the first time in his NFL career, avoiding the franchise tag ahead of Tuesday's deadline to apply the restrictive roster marker.

General manager Joe Schoen said last week at the NFL Scouting Combine the Giants weren't taking the tag off the table, but the team opted against tagging Barkley for a second straight year because of a cost of $12.1 million, according to multiple reports.

"We don't want to do it. In a perfect world, we don't want to do that again," Schoen said.

The free agent market might not produce a massive payday based on the apparent devaluation of the running back position. The unrestricted free agent market at running back includes Josh Jacobs (Las Vegas Raiders) and Tony Pollard (Dallas Cowboys), who were also tagged in 2023, plus Derrick Henry (Tennessee Titans) and Austin Ekeler (Los Angeles Chargers).

Being tagged in 2023 irked Barkley, 27, who since made it clear he felt the Giants were disloyal by not making a long-term commitment. After totaling a career-high 1,312 rushing yards in 16 games in 2022, Barkley settled for an adjusted one-year tender offer for the 2023 season. But he skipped voluntary exit interviews with head coach Brian Daboll under an "open door" policy and said he was "numb" to the business side of the NFL.

Schoen said last week the Giants met with Barkley's new agent during the combine and expressed optimism about coming to an agreement with the two-time Pro Bowl selection.

"I think we've all grown — Saquon, myself, the organization, through the last 12, 13, 14 months," Schoen said, noting that Barkley's new agent, Ed Berry, is someone with whom they have a "really good" relationship. "Saquon may be in a different place now than he was then in terms of understanding the market and the business side of it. I'm looking forward to having those conversations with him."

Drafted by the Giants with the No. 2 pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, Barkley started all 14 games he played in last season, rushing for 962 yards and six touchdowns. He also caught 41 passes for 280 yards and four scores.

In six seasons with the Giants, Barkley has rushed for 5,211 yards and 35 touchdowns on 1,201 carries in 74 games (all starts). He also has 288 receptions for 2,100 yards and 12 touchdowns.

—Field Level Media