Saquon Barkley won't be making many friends amongst his running back colleagues anytime soon.
Just one week ago, the Giants star was threatening a holdout and hinting at missing regular season games.
That was in the aftermath of the extensions for franchise-tagged players deadline passed.
Update: Saquon Barkley explains his leverage on the #Giants - 'F**k You'
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) July 19, 2023
"My leverage is I could say, 'F--k you' to the Giants, I could say, 'F--k you to my teammates,'"
"And be like, 'You want me to show you my worth? You want me to show you how valuable I am to the team? I… pic.twitter.com/py0VB9fdpO
After showing up to training camp, Barkley is singing a different tune — one that other running backs around the league can't be too fond of. The Giants' workhorse played in 16 games last season, posting 1,650 yards from scrimmage and 10 touchdowns on 352 touches.
Despite those big numbers, Barkley didn't receive a long-term extension from the team that made him the No. 2 overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft.
Barkley explained his thought process Thursday, saying he "had an epiphany," and decided to follow his heart in changing his mind about holding out.
Saquon says he decided not to hold out because he had an “epiphany” and he also answers my question on when if his statement on saying he’s focusing on this year is due to his realization that there’s potentially with that upon a 2nd tag… #Giants pic.twitter.com/Dse7toEf6p
— JosinaAnderson (@JosinaAnderson) July 27, 2023
The running back is focused on his legacy at the position and said that was another big factor for him in this process.
"That's who I am to the core, that's who I am as a competitor. At the same time, legacy goes in with the position, too."
— Giants Videos (@SNYGiants) July 27, 2023
Saquon Barkley says his legacy and that of the running back position factored into him reporting for training camp: pic.twitter.com/trwajj3Xb0
Barkley did acknowledge that he was disappointed with both sides' inability to reach an agreement and was willing to put aside those feelings for the sake of the team.
He also shed some light on the reason he declined the team's last offer, saying he was only in search of a respectable number and wasn't aiming to reset the market. Ultimately, Barkley added that the Giants held all the leverage.
‘I could tell you I’m not disappointed, that would be a flat-out lie.” — Saquon Barkley. 👇 pic.twitter.com/X2Sa65OH6M
— Ralph Vacchiano (@RalphVacchiano) July 27, 2023
Saquon Barkley on why he turned down the Giants last offer. 👇 pic.twitter.com/yKtNimoHBA
— Ralph Vacchiano (@RalphVacchiano) July 27, 2023
MORE: Nick Chubb talks NFL RBs' Zoom call, concedes 'nothing we can do' about tight market
Though Barkley hurt his future leverage by showing up at Giants camp, he still pointed out that he considers it unfair the way the running back market has been devalued over time.
"There's a lot of running backs out here that are key points to helping teams have success in this league. The way that we are getting devalued, it's not fair at all."
— Giants Videos (@SNYGiants) July 27, 2023
- Saquon Barkley pic.twitter.com/HDBYcb432y
Other running backs, like the Steelers' Najee Harris, have said that the Giants should've paid Barkley after factoring in what he brings to the offense. Harris is quickly approaching the end of his rookie deal, with one more season on the books before the likely inevitable franchise tag.
Najee Harris on Saquon Barkley’s one-year deal:
— Brooke Pryor (@bepryor) July 26, 2023
“Saquon accumulated almost 30% of the offense. Why can’t you look at that and say, “OK he said he’s not trying to set the market, but he’s trying to get compensated for what he thinks is fair… that ain’t fair what he’s getting.” pic.twitter.com/p94j2TOtBq
The debate around the running back market has been a heated one all offseason long and has only intensified since the franchise tag deadline passed — and has even taken a bizarre turn at points, like when Le'Veon Bell decided to compare the situation to the Disney movie, "A Bug's Life."
MORE: Le'Veon Bell simplifies RB market debate in epic Twitter rant
Players around the league at the position have set up a, "coalition of concerned running backs," which have met over Zoom to talk about the issue.
After showing up at Giants camp, perhaps Barkley won't be invited the next time around.
