Daniel Jones had the best performance of his career last season, and the New York Giants awarded him a long-term contract extension.
But star running back Saquon Barkley has yet to reach an agreement with the Giants and has yet to appear at the team’s offseason workouts.
Jones stepped onto the practice field Wednesday and threw passes to several receivers, but having Barkley as a weapon brings a different element to the Giants’ offense.
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New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley (26) and quarterback Daniel Jones (8) during an NFC divisional playoff game against the Philadelphia Eagles on January 21, 2023 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia. (Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Barkley was named the 2018 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year and is a two-time Pro Bowl selection. He led the Giants in scrimmage yards and touchdowns last season.
SAQUON BARKLEY WAS ‘FOOL’ TO REFUSE GIANTS’ $13M-PER-YEAR EXTENSION, SAYS NFL AGENT
He’s also provided much-needed stability for his 25-year-old quarterback.
Barkley chose not to sign a franchise tag, which means he won’t be penalized if he doesn’t show up for the mandatory minicamp, which begins in June.
But Jones is hopeful that Barkley will be on the Giants’ roster once the 2023 season begins.
«Saquon has been a very important part of what we’ve done here, and he’s a tremendous part of this offense,» Jones said. «I hope they can do something.»
Daniel Jones of the New York Giants runs with the ball against the Philadelphia Eagles during an NFC divisional playoff game at Lincoln Financial Field on January 21, 2023 in Philadelphia. (Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
The Giants’ front office added Darren Waller, Parris Campbell and Jalin Hyatt to the roster in an effort to bolster the team’s passing attack.
Barkley was on hand for pitching sessions hosted by his teammates last month in Arizona.
«We had a good turnout, almost everyone made it. We spent time on the field working and putting on a few things,» Jones said.
«Saquon has been a great teammate to everyone in the locker room, and I think that says a lot about him as a man.»
Daniel Jones (8) and Saquon Barkley (26) of the New York Giants in action against the Chicago Bears at MetLife Stadium on October 2, 2022 in East Rutherford, NJ (Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
Jones added that the details of the running back’s ongoing contract talks with the team are «between him and the team.»
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Brian Daboll, who enters his second year as the Giants’ head coach, also said the negotiations were between the organization and Barkley.
«There’s always a business side to things in this league, and those conversations will remain private,» Daboll said, «but … everyone goes through that at some point, and you just build relationships.»