EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — As the New York Giants' veterans reported to training camp on Tuesday, there was a surprise awaiting them as star running back Saquon Barkley was in the building before 8 a.m.
Many didn't expect to see him until September. Barkley had agreed to a one-year deal instead of playing on the $10.091 million franchise tender.
He got a $2 million up-front signing bonus and has $1 million available in incentives in a contract that can reach up to $11 million.
But he did not get any guarantees the team would not use the franchise tag again next year. The $11 million cash value on Barkley's new contract ranks third among running backs in 2023 behind only the Tennessee Titans' Derrick Henry ($16.4M) and the Cleveland Browns' Nick Chubb ($14.9M), according to ESPN Stats & Information.