Saquon Barkley’s future with the New York Giants has been a topic of speculation in recent months, and now an expert has detailed a new contract projection for the star running back. Brad Spielberger, a salary cap expert at Pro Football Focus, recently shared his estimate for what it might cost the Giants to secure Barkley’s services for another couple of seasons.
According to Spielberger, a new deal for Barkley could be valued at approximately $22 million over two years, with an average salary of $11 million per year. This would represent a slight increase from Barkley’s current salary of $10.091 million in 2023. The projected contract would also put Barkley below the likes of Jonathan Taylor and Christian McCaffrey in terms of average salary per year.
However, the $15 million in guaranteed money would be a solid figure for a running back. Currently, only five running backs in the NFL have guarantees surpassing $15 million, all of whom signed contracts longer than two years.
Pro Football Focus ranked Barkley as the 29th-best free agent in 2024 and the top running back in the class. Spielberger acknowledged Barkley’s extraordinary talent but also highlighted the challenges of the running back market in 2024. He mentioned Barkley’s previous injury concerns and the need to navigate a tricky landscape for running backs in contract negotiations.
The article also touched on Xavier McKinney, who was listed as the second-most important unrestricted free agent for the Giants in 2024. Spielberger projected a three-year, $24.75 million contract for the safety, with an average salary of $8.25 million and $17 million in guaranteed money.
McKinney’s coverage grades and consistency as a last line of defense were highlighted by Spielberger, making him a reliable option for the Giants moving forward.
Overall, the projected contract figures for Barkley and McKinney provide insights into the potential future financial commitments for the Giants. As the franchise’s face, Barkley’s contract negotiations will undoubtedly be closely monitored by fans and analysts alike.
It is worth noting that Spielberger also mentioned the perceived weakness of the 2024 running back draft class, which could impact the overall market for running backs in free agency.
As the Giants look to build a competitive roster, securing Barkley’s long-term future and addressing the needs of other key free agents like McKinney will be crucial steps in their offseason strategy.
Time will tell how negotiations unfold and whether the projected contract figures align with the final agreements reached between Barkley, McKinney, and the Giants organization. Until then, fans will eagerly await the resolution of these contract talks and the future of their beloved team’s star players.
