“Like I’ve mentioned previously, my desire is to remain a lifelong member of the Giants,” Barkley expressed during his appearance on ESPN’s “First Take” on Monday morning.
Despite not receiving a long-term contract extension this past offseason, Barkley has remained steadfast in his commitment. While quarterback Daniel Jones secured a four-year, $160 million deal following the team’s playoff success last year, Barkley was placed under the franchise tag by GM Joe Schoen.
The possibility of the Giants utilizing the franchise tag on Barkley once more this offseason remains. Nevertheless, Barkley’s admiration for the organization remains unwavering.
“I hold the Giants organization in high regard,” Barkley emphasized when questioned by Stephen A. Smith about his desire to stay with the team. “I have immense respect for the Tisch family, the Mara family. Being drafted by this team, I am dedicated to achieving the goal I set for myself. When I was drafted here, one of my objectives was to play a pivotal role in the Giants’ resurgence and lead us to a championship parade in New York. Unfortunately, things haven’t unfolded that way in my career thus far.
“I aspired to follow in the footsteps of Tiki [Barber], Michael [Strahan], Eli [Manning]. However, the harsh reality is that the NFL is a business. If this happens to be my final season here, I can say it has been a remarkable journey. Nonetheless, there is still plenty more to offer. If I find myself elsewhere next season, I will bring leadership, hard work, competitiveness, and a commitment to winning football games.”
Should the Giants opt not to extend Barkley in any capacity this offseason, he is poised to attract significant interest from other teams.
Throughout the 2023 season, Barkley, the product of the No. 2 overall pick, remained a focal point of the Giants’ offense, replicating his impact from the successful 2022 campaign. Accumulating 1,242 yards from scrimmage (962 rushing, 280 receiving) and 10 total touchdowns in 14 games this season, Barkley showcased his elite status as one of the premier running backs in the NFL, rebounding from a challenging 2020 season cut short by a knee injury.
On the other hand, Jones grappled with injuries in 2023, contributing to the regression of the Giants’ offense as a whole. His season came to an abrupt halt when he tore his ACL against the Las Vegas Raiders, ruling him out for the remainder of the year.
The setback for the Giants’ franchise quarterback was undoubtedly not the ideal start to the season. Nonetheless, Barkley continues to offer his unwavering support.
“As I’ve always maintained, I am a staunch Daniel Jones advocate,” Barkley affirmed. “I stand behind him, believing in his abilities. I witness his dedication every single day. Despite the setbacks last season due to injuries, particularly the ACL injury that ended his year, I am confident in his resilience and believe he will return stronger than ever.”
While uncertain about Jones’ future as a teammate, Barkley is no stranger to the business aspect of the NFL. He expressed his hope for the Giants to make timely decisions rather than waiting until the last minute, as was the case with his franchise tag in 2023.
Amidst the challenges faced by the team during the season, Barkley never entertained the idea of giving up. Despite the Giants securing the sixth overall pick in the upcoming NFL Draft due to their 6-11 record, Barkley remained resolute in his commitment to the team.
“Never did the thought of quitting cross my mind,” Barkley declared. “I have a responsibility to fulfill. Wearing the ‘C’ on my jersey carries significance. It transcends individual situations. While the offseason negotiations did not yield the desired long-term deal, I maintained my focus on the primary objective: competing at a high level alongside my teammates. Such thoughts are not reflective of my character.”
As Barkley awaits the Giants’ decision this offseason, he plans to prioritize recovery before gearing up for offseason training. Additionally, he will be present at the Super Bowl to support his fellow running back, Christian McCaffrey, whom he regards as the best in the league at his position.
Acknowledging McCaffrey’s lucrative contract, Barkley believes he deserves similar recognition for his talents.
Scott Thompson, a sports writer for Fox News Digital, contributed to this report.