RB Saquon Barkley, PHI (2 Viewers)

[Anarchy99]

I'm sure the Giants would disagree having made the playoffs last year, having a great draft, and not exactly a dominant NFC.

By that I mean, why should the Giants pay Barkley $16M to produce 1500 or 1600 YFS when they could pay two players $1.5M a piece to combine for 1300-1400 YFS? From a team building / cap management perspective, that probably makes more sense than breaking the bank for Barkley.

Do you sign 3 600yd WRs to replace Jefferson or Chase?

Get back to me when those guys sign 5-year, $160 million deals soon. The Vikings and Bengals don't have to worry about that now . . .they are on dirt cheap rookie contracts. I've said it before and will say it again. All Pro level players on rookie contracts are the most valuable commodity in football.

We could probably do this all day. The Chiefs won two SBs recently. How much did they spend on WRs? Yet they were first in passing yards and passing TD. The Lions were Top 5 or Top 6 in passing. They didn't pay much for their receivers either. Teams can have an ensemble cast, not shell out big money, and still get decent production as a collaborative.

We'll see how things go with the Giants. They ranked 26th in passing yards and T-24th in passing TD. With Jones on a rookie contract, that level of production wasn't great but didn't cost them much. But that level of production won't cut it for the amount they paid him for his extension.

Getting back to Barkley, the Giants could have investment more in the draft than a 5th round pick at RB . . . but they didn't. I don't know much about Eric Gray (or the other guys on their roster). They certainly are capable of bringing in someone else. If New York really wanted to play hardball (and they won't), they could cut him by the end of the day. It's unlikely another team would give him the salary and guarantees he wants either. Given the market, it's unlikely anyone would give him the $10M he would get on the franchise tag. The Giants could still re-sign him if they offered him the most money . . . RBs just aren't getting paid like they used to.

 

[Amused to Death]

Who was the last SB winning team whose leading rusher had a cap hit over $2 million? Was it Lynch in '13? I'm seeing names like Jonas Gray, Ronnie Hillman, Sony Michel (x2), Damian Williams, and Ronald Jones - and none of them carried a cap hit over $2.0 million.

 

[Anarchy99]

Who was the last SB winning team whose leading rusher had a cap hit over $2 million? Was it Lynch in '13? I'm seeing names like Jonas Gray, Ronnie Hillman, Sony Michel (x2), Damian Williams, and Ronald Jones - and none of them carried a cap hit over $2.0 million.

2022 - KC - Pacheco - $725K
2021 - LAR - Michel - $1.8M
2020 - TB - Jones - $2.2M
2019 - KC - Williams - $1.7M
2018 - NE - Michel - $1.8M
2017 - PHI - Blount - $1.2M
2016 - NE - Blount - $1M
2015 - DEN - Hillman - $940K
2014 - NE - Gray - $270K
2013 - SEA - Lynch - $8.5M

 

[Faust]

Saquon Barkley’s contract situation with Giants heading toward point of no return

 

[Soulfly3]

Who was the last SB winning team whose leading rusher had a cap hit over $2 million? Was it Lynch in '13? I'm seeing names like Jonas Gray, Ronnie Hillman, Sony Michel (x2), Damian Williams, and Ronald Jones - and none of them carried a cap hit over $2.0 million.

2022 - KC - Pacheco - $725K
2021 - LAR - Michel - $1.8M
2020 - TB - Jones - $2.2M
2019 - KC - Williams - $1.7M
2018 - NE - Michel - $1.8M
2017 - PHI - Blount - $1.2M
2016 - NE - Blount - $1M
2015 - DEN - Hillman - $940K
2014 - NE - Gray - $270K
2013 - SEA - Lynch - $8.5M

All I see is a list of teams that have won the SB w a HoF qb, minus philly.

 

[Amused to Death]

Who was the last SB winning team whose leading rusher had a cap hit over $2 million? Was it Lynch in '13? I'm seeing names like Jonas Gray, Ronnie Hillman, Sony Michel (x2), Damian Williams, and Ronald Jones - and none of them carried a cap hit over $2.0 million.

2022 - KC - Pacheco - $725K
2021 - LAR - Michel - $1.8M
2020 - TB - Jones - $2.2M
2019 - KC - Williams - $1.7M
2018 - NE - Michel - $1.8M
2017 - PHI - Blount - $1.2M
2016 - NE - Blount - $1M
2015 - DEN - Hillman - $940K
2014 - NE - Gray - $270K
2013 - SEA - Lynch - $8.5M

All I see is a list of teams that have won the SB w a HoF qb, minus philly.

But you don't see any teams with an average QB and a stud RB.

 

[Soulfly3]

Who was the last SB winning team whose leading rusher had a cap hit over $2 million? Was it Lynch in '13? I'm seeing names like Jonas Gray, Ronnie Hillman, Sony Michel (x2), Damian Williams, and Ronald Jones - and none of them carried a cap hit over $2.0 million.

2022 - KC - Pacheco - $725K
2021 - LAR - Michel - $1.8M
2020 - TB - Jones - $2.2M
2019 - KC - Williams - $1.7M
2018 - NE - Michel - $1.8M
2017 - PHI - Blount - $1.2M
2016 - NE - Blount - $1M
2015 - DEN - Hillman - $940K
2014 - NE - Gray - $270K
2013 - SEA - Lynch - $8.5M

All I see is a list of teams that have won the SB w a HoF qb, minus philly.

But you don't see any teams with an average QB and a stud RB.

I see no average QBs in those years, period. Meaning they didn't need a run game because the QBs were airing it out.

I'm too lazy to look, but I'm willing to bet all of those QBs had great/wild numbers those seasons (off memory, they did). Numbers that Dimes couldn't reach in his wildest dreams.

 

[FreeBaGeL]

Who was the last SB winning team whose leading rusher had a cap hit over $2 million? Was it Lynch in '13? I'm seeing names like Jonas Gray, Ronnie Hillman, Sony Michel (x2), Damian Williams, and Ronald Jones - and none of them carried a cap hit over $2.0 million.

2022 - KC - Pacheco - $725K
2021 - LAR - Michel - $1.8M
2020 - TB - Jones - $2.2M
2019 - KC - Williams - $1.7M
2018 - NE - Michel - $1.8M
2017 - PHI - Blount - $1.2M
2016 - NE - Blount - $1M
2015 - DEN - Hillman - $940K
2014 - NE - Gray - $270K
2013 - SEA - Lynch - $8.5M

All I see is a list of teams that have won the SB w a HoF qb, minus philly.

But you don't see any teams with an average QB and a stud RB.

I've mentioned further up in this thread that anecdotal comparisons based on tiny sample sizes just don't necessarily mean anything. Like I mentioned previously there's been something like 12 CBs drafted in the top 10 in the last 15 years and they have a combined zero (maybe 1? It was in another thread here) playoff win between all of them with their original team. Does that mean that CBs are useless?

Additionally part of the thing with this list is 7 of the 9 Super Bowls on this list after Lynch were won by what are probably top 5 QBs all-time. So if the conclusion is that the best way to win a Super Bowl is to have an all-time great quarterback then sure, we already knew that, but obviously that's not usually an option.

Yea if you have Brady or Mahomes then who cares. It doesn't really matter what else you do, the offense is going to be great either way. So now if you're talking about non all-time great QBs we're talking about a sample size of 2 or 3 on that post-Lynch list. And in those years guys like Todd Gurley and DeVonta Freeman were a game or two away from being champs where a few inches could've completely changed that narrative.

 

[The Big Donkey]

Giants up Saquon Barkley’s offer as contract talks go down to the wire

The Giants upped their contract offer to Saquon Barkley. Sort of.

nypost.com

"The Giants upped their contract offer to Saquon Barkley. Sort of.

After Barkley previously turned down a multi-year extension worth $13 million per year with only $19.5 million guaranteed, as first reported last week by The Post, the Giants increased the guaranteed portion to slightly north of $22 million, according to Giants Insider and NorthJersey.com.

But, in exchange for upping the guarantees, the Giants lowered the average annual value on their latest offer, sources told The Post.

The $22 million is a relevant number because it is in the ballpark of what Barkley would be guaranteed ($22.2 million) if he plays on the franchise tag in 2023 and 2024...."

 

[zamboni]

Really thought they’d hammer something out, but instead looks like Barkley may be doing some holding out.

 

[The Big Donkey]

Ian Rapoport
@RapSheet

No deal for the #Giants and star RB Saquon Barkley.

https://twitter.com/RapSheet/status/1681029750343729152

 

[zamboni]

So much for that but he’s got no choice but to play - they can’t sign him until after the season ends and holding out is only going to hurt his own value (and wallet).

 

[TripItUp]

I'd hold out until game 6 or so to make a statement. 6 game checks not a big deal for a guy like Saquon.

 

[Amused to Death]

Adam Schefter

@AdamSchefter

With no long-term deals for Saquon Barkley, Josh Jacobs and Tony Pollard, the last time a RB signed a long-term contract worth $10 million or more per year was Nick Chubb in 2021 — 716 days ago.

 

[zamboni]

I'd hold out until game 6 or so to make a statement. 6 game checks not a big deal for a guy like Saquon.

With the RB market diminishing by the year, I don’t think it would be a smart move. But it’s not my money.

 

[The Frankman]

Guess the Giants are going 5-12 then.

I add that the reason it didn't work with Wrs when he owners tried the same thing is they all didn't show up to camp a few years ago. DK/Samuel/etc. were like "pay me or I'm sitting". If enough top-level RBs sit out the same could possibly happen here w/ Jacobs/Cook/Saquon, though they not as elite at their position as a group like the WRs were.

So much for that but he’s got no choice but to play - they can’t sign him until after the season ends and holding out is only going to hurt his own value (and wallet).

I guarantee you it'll hurt the Giants a helluva lot more than it hurts Saquon. Unless they do a Monstars-level talent implant into Jones by stealing it from another Top QB.

 

[menobrown]

Neither Barkley or Jacobs are going to miss a single game check.

 

[travdogg]

Adam Schefter
@AdamSchefter

With no long-term deals for Saquon Barkley, Josh Jacobs and Tony Pollard, the last time a RB signed a long-term contract worth $10 million or more per year was Nick Chubb in 2021 — 716 days ago.

And Chubb has been a better RB than any of those guys.

I'm not really surprised none of these guys got deals worked out. Maybe if Pollard wasn't coming off injury he might have, but Jacobs and especially Barkley were always longshots to me, given their injury histories, and mileage.

Fully expecting all 3 to play week 1 though. Holdouts are pretty universally a bad idea now.

 

[Yenrub]

Who was the last SB winning team whose leading rusher had a cap hit over $2 million? Was it Lynch in '13? I'm seeing names like Jonas Gray, Ronnie Hillman, Sony Michel (x2), Damian Williams, and Ronald Jones - and none of them carried a cap hit over $2.0 million.

2022 - KC - Pacheco - $725K
2021 - LAR - Michel - $1.8M
2020 - TB - Jones - $2.2M
2019 - KC - Williams - $1.7M
2018 - NE - Michel - $1.8M
2017 - PHI - Blount - $1.2M
2016 - NE - Blount - $1M
2015 - DEN - Hillman - $940K
2014 - NE - Gray - $270K
2013 - SEA - Lynch - $8.5M

All I see is a list of teams that have won the SB w a HoF qb, minus philly.

I don't think any of those teams were paying big money to a WR at the time either

 

[TripItUp]

Fully expecting all 3 to play week 1 though. Holdouts are pretty universally a bad idea now.

to me, this is the old way of thinking when the RB market was better

Now that the RB market is not as good, you are better off waiting until you get a fair deal.

Mileage = money.

 

[Dez]

Who was the last SB winning team whose leading rusher had a cap hit over $2 million? Was it Lynch in '13? I'm seeing names like Jonas Gray, Ronnie Hillman, Sony Michel (x2), Damian Williams, and Ronald Jones - and none of them carried a cap hit over $2.0 million.

2022 - KC - Pacheco - $725K
2021 - LAR - Michel - $1.8M
2020 - TB - Jones - $2.2M
2019 - KC - Williams - $1.7M
2018 - NE - Michel - $1.8M
2017 - PHI - Blount - $1.2M
2016 - NE - Blount - $1M
2015 - DEN - Hillman - $940K
2014 - NE - Gray - $270K
2013 - SEA - Lynch - $8.5M

All I see is a list of teams that have won the SB w a HoF qb, minus philly.

But you don't see any teams with an average QB and a stud RB.

So Pay Jones $40 million makes sense to me

 

[TripItUp]

RBs are getting paid just above punters.

NFL needs to step in and create some unique rules around RB pay or they are not going to have any top athletes playing RB and the game will suffer.

 

[menobrown]

Adam Schefter
@AdamSchefter

With no long-term deals for Saquon Barkley, Josh Jacobs and Tony Pollard, the last time a RB signed a long-term contract worth $10 million or more per year was Nick Chubb in 2021 — 716 days ago.

And Chubb has been a better RB than any of those guys.

I'm not really surprised none of these guys got deals worked out. Maybe if Pollard wasn't coming off injury he might have, but Jacobs and especially Barkley were always longshots to me, given their injury histories, and mileage.

Fully expecting all 3 to play week 1 though. Holdouts are pretty universally a bad idea now.

Chubb would not be getting that deal right now either.

 

[Anarchy99]

Fully expecting all 3 to play week 1 though. Holdouts are pretty universally a bad idea now.

They may all play, but they may all decide to skip training camp, show up out of shape, be more susceptible to injury, or might not give 100%. Bottom line, it may be acrimonious between the player and team, and they may not be willing to get 39 touches in a game (like Jacobs vs. SEA last year).

 

[zamboni]

Fully expecting all 3 to play week 1 though. Holdouts are pretty universally a bad idea now.

to me, this is the old way of thinking when the RB market was better

Now that the RB market is not as good, you are better off waiting until you get a fair deal.

Mileage = money.

Neither Barkley nor Jacobs can get any other deal until after the season ends. Sitting out hurts themselves probably more than their teams (despite what they think).

 

[menobrown]

Barkley is going to make more money this upcoming year then he's ever made in a single year in his career . He's going to make almost $170K more per game then any per game season pay in his career.

Jacobs will be making about 5x more per game then any season of his career.

Barkley will be making over 1/4th of his career earnings to date this year and Jacobs almost 1/2 of what he's earned so far.

And people still think or suggest they should miss game checks?

 

[Anarchy99]

Barkley is going to make more money this upcoming year then he's ever made in a single year in his career . He's going to make almost $170K more per game then any per game season pay in his career.

Jacobs will be making about 5x more per game then any season of his career.

Barkley will be making over 1/4th of his career earnings to date this year and Jacobs almost 1/2 of what he's earned so far.

And people still think or suggest they should miss game checks?

I don't think they will miss game checks, but I do think they may get bumps and bruises and not be in a rush to play. If they show up Week 1 ready to play, they will get paid . . . how much effort they will put forth or how hard they will practice is debatable. Who's to say how injured they are and whether they could actually play (think Kawhi Leonard). Being present and getting a paycheck makes way more sense than flat out blowing off games in a pointless hold out (like you said . . . he can't sign a new deal until next year).

 

[zamboni]

I don't think they will miss game checks, but I do think they may get bumps and bruises and not be in a rush to play. If they show up Week 1 ready to play, they will get paid . . . how much effort they will put forth or how hard they will practice is debatable. Who's to say how injured they are and whether they could actually play (think Kawhi Leonard). Being present and getting a paycheck makes way more sense than flat out blowing off games in a pointless hold out (like you said . . . he can't sign a new deal until next year).

I see it the opposite that when they do play, they’ll be highly motivated to ball out for their next contract in an obviously poor market for their position. Guess I’m trying to find a silver lining that it might not be bad for fantasy if they come into the season hungry and motivated rather than content and paid.

 

[Amused to Death]

So Pay Jones $40 million makes sense to me

I agree, Jones is most likely overpaid but the Giants don't think so. They needed to pay their QB because he's more important to the team than a RB who can be replaced. The team made a decision on where to allocate the money, and its not on the RB. They can probably draft one in the 2nd or 3rd round next year and get 75% of Barkley's production.

 

[menobrown]

Barkley is going to make more money this upcoming year then he's ever made in a single year in his career . He's going to make almost $170K more per game then any per game season pay in his career.

Jacobs will be making about 5x more per game then any season of his career.

Barkley will be making over 1/4th of his career earnings to date this year and Jacobs almost 1/2 of what he's earned so far.

And people still think or suggest they should miss game checks?

I don't think they will miss game checks, but I do think they may get bumps and bruises and not be in a rush to play. If they show up Week 1 ready to play, they will get paid . . . how much effort they will put forth or how hard they will practice is debatable. Who's to say how injured they are and whether they could actually play (think Kawhi Leonard). Being present and getting a paycheck makes way more sense than flat out blowing off games in a pointless hold out (like you said . . . he can't sign a new deal until next year).

They are both professional and know how to take care of themselves so I'm not concerned about whatever shape they show up in, even if they are reporting late.

I'm going to reject any notion they would act like malcontents or not put out maximum effort because again I think they are both professional enough to understand that does them zero good. If they were something other then a RB maybe, but they are RB's and a RB can't really afford to act out and think it's going to help him get a big payday as a 26-27 year old.

They might handle any injuries with extra care, not be willing to play through some stuff. That's a legit concern.

But I really am not on board with any notion that they won't be making the maximum effort to play this year since both will be hitting FA again next off-season and doing anything do not have the best season possible is counter productive to their contract goals.

I truly have zero concerns with any of them next season over their contracts.

 

[TripItUp]

Neither Barkley nor Jacobs can get any other deal until after the season ends. Sitting out hurts themselves probably more than their teams (despite what they think).

I disagree, they are preserving the tread on their tires until they can hit the free market.

 

[TripItUp]

I don't think they will miss game checks, but I do think they may get bumps and bruises and not be in a rush to play. If they show up Week 1 ready to play, they will get paid . . . how much effort they will put forth or how hard they will practice is debatable. Who's to say how injured they are and whether they could actually play (think Kawhi Leonard). Being present and getting a paycheck makes way more sense than flat out blowing off games in a pointless hold out (like you said . . . he can't sign a new deal until next year).

I agree with this.

They aren't exactly being incentivized to maximize performance.

 

[zamboni]

Neither Barkley nor Jacobs can get any other deal until after the season ends. Sitting out hurts themselves probably more than their teams (despite what they think).

I disagree, they are preserving the tread on their tires until they can hit the free market.

And the market will be even cooler for them if they don’t put up strong seasons. I think Barkley made a big mistake not taking the bag.

 

[travdogg]

Fully expecting all 3 to play week 1 though. Holdouts are pretty universally a bad idea now.

to me, this is the old way of thinking when the RB market was better

Now that the RB market is not as good, you are better off waiting until you get a fair deal.

Mileage = money.

I think that's counterintuitive. If you wait until you get a better deal, you are gonna be replaced, and that better deal is never coming.

Mileage may = money, but supply>demand.

Chubb would not be getting that deal right now either.

Maybe not, but I think he (and CMC for that matter) are better players than the Barkley/Jacobs types and would still get offered more than they are.

 

[Anarchy99]

I truly have zero concerns with any of them next season over their contracts.

While a hopeful opinion, I am not sure how realistic it is. If Barkley or Jacobs get injured, they may not get another contract anywhere close to top of the market again. They would be on one year prove it deals with hardly any guaranteed money and lots of incentives. Those are the contracts RBs try to avoid if at all possible.

The other issue is their teams have no incentive to leave them with anything left in the tank by the end of the year. Barkley had 350 touches. Jacobs nearly hit 400. If they get that many again, they could easily be toast for 2024 regardless. History has not been kind to guys with that sort of workload. If the team burns them out or the guy gets injured, it makes it easy to walk away next year and let someone else take the risk.

We'll see how things play out, but I expect more dissension and blow back than you. If I am Barkley, why do I need to do anything in training camp? Not worth the risk of getting injured.

 

[menobrown]

. If I am Barkley, why do I need to do anything in training camp? Not worth the risk of getting injured.

I don't expect him or Jacobs to attend camp and I don't see the team really caring or it making any difference in their performance.

 

[menobrown]

aybe not, but I think he (and CMC for that matter) are better players than the Barkley/Jacobs types and would still get offered more than they are.

I don't. ETA-Chubb I mean

 

[ZWK]

Adam Schefter
@AdamSchefter

With no long-term deals for Saquon Barkley, Josh Jacobs and Tony Pollard, the last time a RB signed a long-term contract worth $10 million or more per year was Nick Chubb in 2021 — 716 days ago.

The Packers basically signed Aaron Jones to a 2 year, $23 million contract in February, with $11 million of that coming this year (and mostly guaranteed).

People talked about it as a restructure and a pay cut, which it technically was. But Jones's old contract was basically a 2 year, $20 million deal for 2021-2022, with team options for $16 million in 2023 and $12 million in 2024. So presumably the plan from the start was to cut or restructure this offseason rather than pay him that $16 million, and the ballooning salary this year was a way to bring everyone to the negotiating table (and prevent a franchise tag, and let Jones & his agent celebrate an inflated headline number in 2021 when he signed a "4 year, $48 million" contract).

 

[Insein]

I truly have zero concerns with any of them next season over their contracts.

While a hopeful opinion, I am not sure how realistic it is. If Barkley or Jacobs get injured, they may not get another contract anywhere close to top of the market again. They would be on one year prove it deals with hardly any guaranteed money and lots of incentives. Those are the contracts RBs try to avoid if at all possible.

The other issue is their teams have no incentive to leave them with anything left in the tank by the end of the year. Barkley had 350 touches. Jacobs nearly hit 400. If they get that many again, they could easily be toast for 2024 regardless. History has not been kind to guys with that sort of workload. If the team burns them out or the guy gets injured, it makes it easy to walk away next year and let someone else take the risk.

We'll see how things play out, but I expect more dissension and blow back than you. If I am Barkley, why do I need to do anything in training camp? Not worth the risk of getting injured.

Barkley and Jacobs really have to hold out. They have no choice. This is it for both of them. If they don't get paid now, they never will. They have to be willing to walk away from the game completely or at least make the threat real.

Pollard is in a weird spot because he's proven nothing. Him holding out could cost him decent money.

 

[Alex P Keaton]

I truly have zero concerns with any of them next season over their contracts.

While a hopeful opinion, I am not sure how realistic it is. If Barkley or Jacobs get injured, they may not get another contract anywhere close to top of the market again. They would be on one year prove it deals with hardly any guaranteed money and lots of incentives. Those are the contracts RBs try to avoid if at all possible.

The other issue is their teams have no incentive to leave them with anything left in the tank by the end of the year. Barkley had 350 touches. Jacobs nearly hit 400. If they get that many again, they could easily be toast for 2024 regardless. History has not been kind to guys with that sort of workload. If the team burns them out or the guy gets injured, it makes it easy to walk away next year and let someone else take the risk.

We'll see how things play out, but I expect more dissension and blow back than you. If I am Barkley, why do I need to do anything in training camp? Not worth the risk of getting injured.

Barkley and Jacobs really have to hold out. They have no choice. This is it for both of them. If they don't get paid now, they never will. They have to be willing to walk away from the game completely or at least make the threat real.

Pollard is in a weird spot because he's proven nothing. Him holding out could cost him decent money.

But hold out to what end? They literally cannot sign a long term deal now — league rules prohibit it. The deadline was today. So it’s too late — the only choice they have now is sign the franchise tender and get paid for 1 year or sit out. That’s it.

 

[Insein]

I truly have zero concerns with any of them next season over their contracts.

While a hopeful opinion, I am not sure how realistic it is. If Barkley or Jacobs get injured, they may not get another contract anywhere close to top of the market again. They would be on one year prove it deals with hardly any guaranteed money and lots of incentives. Those are the contracts RBs try to avoid if at all possible.

The other issue is their teams have no incentive to leave them with anything left in the tank by the end of the year. Barkley had 350 touches. Jacobs nearly hit 400. If they get that many again, they could easily be toast for 2024 regardless. History has not been kind to guys with that sort of workload. If the team burns them out or the guy gets injured, it makes it easy to walk away next year and let someone else take the risk.

We'll see how things play out, but I expect more dissension and blow back than you. If I am Barkley, why do I need to do anything in training camp? Not worth the risk of getting injured.

Barkley and Jacobs really have to hold out. They have no choice. This is it for both of them. If they don't get paid now, they never will. They have to be willing to walk away from the game completely or at least make the threat real.

Pollard is in a weird spot because he's proven nothing. Him holding out could cost him decent money.

But hold out to what end? They literally cannot sign a long term deal now — league rules prohibit it. The deadline was today. So it’s too late — the only choice they have now is sign the franchise tender and get paid for 1 year or sit out. That’s it.

Missed that part. The league really does not favor RBs. I'd hold out the year. Why risk injury?

 

[Anarchy99]

Missed that part. The league really does not favor RBs. I'd hold out the year. Why risk injury?

We saw this when Bell didn't play. The RB will never make up the money for the season he didn't play. RBs really aren't getting signed for $10M a year, so the amount for a single season salary isn't that bad given the current market.

The "hold out" part would involve not signing the franchise tender until the week before the season starts and showing up not in game shape. The player could also dog it in practice or nurse injuries, but he needs to be present each game to collect a weekly check. I contend that one of the franchise tagged RBs may not go 100% on every play for fear of injury.

 

[menobrown]

Pollard is in a weird spot because he's proven nothing. Him holding out could cost him decent money.

He really should not be part of the discussion with Barkley and Jacobs but not for the reasons you stated. He signed his tender, would get fined $50K a day for every day of camp he misses. The other two will probably be spending most or all of August working remotely

 

[Ghost Rider]

Let me get this straight: Barkley is upset because the Giants are not wanting to give a RB who has missed 19 games in the last three seasons big bucks? Okay.

 

[TLEF316]

Certainly not crying for Barkley. He made $38M in salary on his rookie deal (and snagged a few pretty lucrative endorsements as well) while missing a lot of games (and he really wasn't even all that good his 2nd year when he did play)

I mean....yeah....I'm sure its frustrating to be 26 years old knowing that the league considers you one bad hit away from the scrap heap.....but that's the life you chose. And you've been handsomely rewarded for it. You've already got near generational wealth and could easily add another 20M to it (even if "all you get" is the tag this year and then smaller 1-2 year contracts until you turn 30).

Jacobs has much more of a case here. He's made 1/3 of what Barkley has (in one less season) and the Raiders declined his 5th year option.

I do think the league should consider doing SOMETHING to reward super productive young running backs in terms of salary. The teams obviously have made it clear they dont want an albatross Zeke-like contract eating up their cap space, so I'm not sure what the solution is. But there should be SOMETHING done considering the punishment that these guys take.

 

[rockaction]

Mommas don't let your babies grow up to be the faces of franchises
Get 'em paid first
'fore they lay hurt
in the football game

 

[rockaction]

Needs to be something done for running backs in the CBA or you're not going to have cream of the crop athletes at RB, which makes the game less fun to watch. It's already happening and you can see it on the field. The only one close to a true all-time talent is the pure runner Chubb and McCaffrey's multidimensional aspect. But most of the other guys are kind of pedestrian, or all-time good players. Not great.

 

[Dr. Octopus]

I truly have zero concerns with any of them next season over their contracts.

While a hopeful opinion, I am not sure how realistic it is. If Barkley or Jacobs get injured, they may not get another contract anywhere close to top of the market again. They would be on one year prove it deals with hardly any guaranteed money and lots of incentives. Those are the contracts RBs try to avoid if at all possible.

The other issue is their teams have no incentive to leave them with anything left in the tank by the end of the year. Barkley had 350 touches. Jacobs nearly hit 400. If they get that many again, they could easily be toast for 2024 regardless. History has not been kind to guys with that sort of workload. If the team burns them out or the guy gets injured, it makes it easy to walk away next year and let someone else take the risk.

We'll see how things play out, but I expect more dissension and blow back than you. If I am Barkley, why do I need to do anything in training camp? Not worth the risk of getting injured.

Barkley and Jacobs really have to hold out. They have no choice. This is it for both of them. If they don't get paid now, they never will. They have to be willing to walk away from the game completely or at least make the threat real.

Pollard is in a weird spot because he's proven nothing. Him holding out could cost him decent money.

But hold out to what end? They literally cannot sign a long term deal now — league rules prohibit it. The deadline was today. So it’s too late — the only choice they have now is sign the franchise tender and get paid for 1 year or sit out. That’s it.

Missed that part. The league really does not favor RBs. I'd hold out the year. Why risk injury?

Sit out this season while losing $10MM only to sign for less next offseason. Doesn’t sound like sound strategy. Actually seems dumb.

 

[Alex P Keaton]

I truly have zero concerns with any of them next season over their contracts.

While a hopeful opinion, I am not sure how realistic it is. If Barkley or Jacobs get injured, they may not get another contract anywhere close to top of the market again. They would be on one year prove it deals with hardly any guaranteed money and lots of incentives. Those are the contracts RBs try to avoid if at all possible.

The other issue is their teams have no incentive to leave them with anything left in the tank by the end of the year. Barkley had 350 touches. Jacobs nearly hit 400. If they get that many again, they could easily be toast for 2024 regardless. History has not been kind to guys with that sort of workload. If the team burns them out or the guy gets injured, it makes it easy to walk away next year and let someone else take the risk.

We'll see how things play out, but I expect more dissension and blow back than you. If I am Barkley, why do I need to do anything in training camp? Not worth the risk of getting injured.

Barkley and Jacobs really have to hold out. They have no choice. This is it for both of them. If they don't get paid now, they never will. They have to be willing to walk away from the game completely or at least make the threat real.

Pollard is in a weird spot because he's proven nothing. Him holding out could cost him decent money.

But hold out to what end? They literally cannot sign a long term deal now — league rules prohibit it. The deadline was today. So it’s too late — the only choice they have now is sign the franchise tender and get paid for 1 year or sit out. That’s it.

Missed that part. The league really does not favor RBs. I'd hold out the year. Why risk injury?

Sit out this season while losing $10MM only to sign for less next offseason. Doesn’t sound like sound strategy. Actually seems dumb.

Yeah, we already saw this with Lev Bell. The RB will never recoup the lost money. Saquon should have taken the deal NY offered.

 

[Rubi]

Maybe the agent should be fired. He should know what the market is for running backs right now. Turned down more a couple of times. It's not a Barkley/Giants thing,it's league wide right now. Poor judgement on Barkley's side. I don't like it,but I get it.