The New York Giants surprised most of the NFL world by not only making the playoffs in 2022 but winning a postseason game. After a five-win improvement led by Coach of the Year Brian Daboll, the Giants are hoping to return to the tournament in 2023. But before they can get there, Big Blue has several agenda items to check off over the next several weeks, including a resolution for their franchise-tagged running back.
3 Final Moves for the New York Giants
Give Saquon Barkley a No-Franchise Tag Clause for 2024
Monday’s franchise tag extension deadline came and went without a new deal for running back Saquon Barkley, meaning he can’t work out a long-term contract with the Giants until the end of the regular season.
Barkley isn’t planning to attend training camp and is threatening to hold out of regular-season games, which would force him to sacrifice 1/18th of his $10.1 million salary for each week he misses.
New York holds almost all the leverage here. It doesn’t seem wise for Barkley to hold out of the regular season and give up an eight-figure salary. He’d be unlikely ever to recoup that money, and there’s a good chance his market would be just as cold in 2024 (when he’d be another year older).
While the Giants can no longer offer Barkley an extension, they are allowed to tweak the value of his franchise tender. The NFL’s collective bargaining agreement dictates that Barkley’s contract can’t run for more than one year and sets a minimum salary, but there is no limit on other changes to his pact.
New York has the ability to give Barkley more than the $10.1 million he’s scheduled to earn this year, but a better idea might be a no-tag clause for 2024.
If Barkley is assured that the Giants won’t franchise him for a second consecutive season, he could be amenable to showing up for training camp and playing out the year. While New York may not want to set that sort of precedent, it could get Barkley on the field.
Sign a Free Agent OL or LB
The Daboll/Joe Schoen-led Giants rebuild is undoubtedly ahead of schedule, but the club still has holes on its roster. With just $3.8 million in cap space, New York doesn’t have a ton of money to add another player, but a veteran could be in play if prices drop enough.
Up front, the Giants could consider a guard like Dalton Risner to step in on the interior. Risner, who just turned 28 years old and spent four quality seasons with the Broncos, is one of the more confusing free agent cases of 2023. He’s generated next to no interest on the open market, meaning he could be a cheap option for New York.
At linebacker, the Giants are poised to be without Jarrad Davis, who ended the season as a starter in the middle of the club’s defense. As Pat Leonard of the New York Daily News recently reported, Davis underwent an undisclosed surgery and will be sidelined for the foreseeable future. The Giants placed him on injured reserve on Tuesday, rendering him ineligible for the 2023 campaign barring an injury settlement.
Davis’ injury will give second-year linebackers Darrian Beavers and Micah McFadden the chance to step in alongside free agent signing Bobby Okereke. Still, Big Blue might consider a free agent like Myles Jack, Deion Jones, or Rashaan Evans if they’re searching for more experience.
Make a Decision on Leonard Williams
The Giants already handed out one massive defensive tackle extension earlier this summer when they agreed to a four-year, $90 million deal with Dexter Lawrence. But they still have work to do with another member of their defensive line.
Leonard Williams is scheduled to have the NFL’s third-highest cap charge in 2023 ($32.26 million), behind only Patrick Mahomes and Ryan Tannehill. New York could reduce Williams’ cap number either by giving him an extension or restructuring his contract.
In the latter scenario, the Giants could convert Williams’ $18 million salary into a signing bonus and add a few more void years — Williams already has one dummy season in 2024 — and spread out his cap figure.
“There hasn’t been much talks about it this offseason,” Williams said of his contract in June. “I think I have a good camaraderie with my teammates. I would love to keep playing with Dex [Lawrence]. I would love to keep playing with these coaches that I’ve gotten to know. I’m also not one of those players that wants to bounce around team to team. I want to be able to be here.”
Williams turned 29 years old in June, so the Giants may not want to commit to him on a long-term basis. But he’s also been remarkably durable, starting 114 straight games until knee and neck injuries cost him time in 2022.
If New York plans to have him around for a few more seasons, they’ll likely tweak his deal. If not, the Giants could bite the bullet, absorb his cap charge, and allow him to walk next spring.
