After three seasons of relative disappointment and injury issues, Saquon Barkley reminded the New York Giants why they took him with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft. 

Barkley gained a career-high 1,312 rushing yards with 10 touchdowns and added 57 receptions in 2022. Those numbers weren’t as great as his rookie year, but far better than his more recent seasons. It earned him a Pro Bowl berth and it helped get the Giants to the NFL Playoffs for the first time since 2016. 

As expected, the Giants used their franchise tag on Barkley at a one-year cost of $10.1 million. Barkley has yet to sign the deal, however, as both sides work on a longer-term contract. But negotiations aren't going well, and if no agreement is made by July 17, Barkley has tossed out the notion of sitting out all of 2023. 

The Giants have some huge decisions to make on how to handle the situation. Bookies.com oddsmaker Adam Thompson has used his resources of NFL contacts developed over 20 years covering the league to create his hypothetical NFL futures odds on Barkley’s 2023 team. 

As it stands now, Barkley has two options if a new deal isn't reached by the July deadline. One, he can sign the franchise tender and play the 2023 in New York while raking in $10.1 million. Two, he can sit out all of 2023 and be a free agent for '24. 

In winter, Barkley admitted he would be upset if the Giants used the tag on him. He is reportedly looking for close to $14 million annually. During the Giants' 2023 bye week rejected a multi-year extension for roughly $12 million annually. He says he wants to be a Giant for life but there apparently will be no loyalty discount. 

The $14 million would rank him behind only Derrick Henry and Nick Chubb on the annual cap price for RBs next season. 

While the Giants stuck Barkley with the franchise tag, they inked QB Daniel Jones to a massive four-year, $160 million deal. 

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Sitting out likely isn't in the best interest in Barkley's overall career. Just ask Le'Veon Bell, who wanted more money from the Steelers and sat the entire 2018 season, and was a shell of his former Pro Bowl self for three unassuming seasons on four different teams. He has been open about his regrets for taking the stance. 

Barkley, for his part, admits the Giants hold most of the cards here. Is it possible the Giants and Barkley come to an impasse, and New York deals him? 

Unlikely, but nothing is impossible. 

Few teams at this stage of the off-season would consider RB to be a position of need. The Minnesota Vikings, for example, just released Dalvin Cook, but that was mainly for contract purposes. They're not going to turn around and sign Barkley. 

Barkley would present a massive upgrade for the Houston Texans, Arizona Cardinals and Chicago Bears, three teams that can afford to pay him what he wants, and all of which have younger QBs that could use a top-tier RB to take off some pressure. 

The Field is led by contenders that could use an RB upgrade but are either cap-strapped or are more on the lookout for depth. That inclues the Kansas City Chiefs, Miami Dolphins and Baltimore Ravens. 

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