New York Giants star running back Saquon Barkley logged only 19 carries in less than two full games last fall before he suffered a season-ending torn ACL on Sept. 20. Thus, it wasn't all that alarming when general manager Dave Gettleman suggested earlier this month the club had concerns about the long-term health of the 24-year-old ball-carrier and hadn't yet made a final call about the fifth-year option attached to Barkley's contract.
Per SNY's Ralph Vacchiano, Giants co-owner John Mara told reporters on Wednesday the team is "not in any hurry" to work out a contract extension with the second overall pick of the 2018 NFL Draft:
John Mara on talking with RB Saquon Barkley about a contract extension: "We’re not in any hurry to do that. We fully expect him to be as good as new. … We hope he’s going to be a Giant for life. At the appropriate time, we’ll start those discussions."
— Ralph Vacchiano (@RVacchianoSNY) March 31, 2021
According to Giants beat reporter Art Stapleton, Barkley's cap hit under the fifth-year option will be roughly $7.217 million, a relatively inexpensive number even though some experts doubt he'll be the same elusive play-maker he was before the injury:
In short, Mara's comments merely confirm what many assumed: Barkley will be playing for more than his teammates and his desire to win games later this year.
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