Saquon Barkley contract extension: Giants GM hints at 'gap' between both parties

The New York Giants are going to be having a busy off-season this year. Both Daniel Jones and Saquon Barkley are set to hit free agency once the new league year begins on March 15.The team hopes to sign both players to long-term deals, but they are having complications in numbers with both parties.New York Giants GM Joe Schoen spoke about both of their situations on February 28, and gave an update on contract talks with Barkley.He said the team still has a gap in contract talks with the star running back, but the two parties are getting closer.“We haven’t totally bridged (the gap). We’re a little bit closer. There’s still a gap.”Ralph Vacchiano@RalphVacchianoGM Joe Schoen said the Giants and Saquon Barkley weren’t close on a new contract after the season.So where are they now? “We haven’t totally bridged (the gap),” he said. “We’re a little bit closer. There’s still a gap.”103GM Joe Schoen said the Giants and Saquon Barkley weren’t close on a new contract after the season.So where are they now? “We haven’t totally bridged (the gap),” he said. “We’re a little bit closer. There’s still a gap.”Schoen also said that avoiding the franchise tag altogether for both players is also an option.Jeremy Fowler@JFowlerESPNGiants GM Joe Schoen said avoiding the franchise tag altogether - by signing both Daniel Jones and Saquon Barkley long term - is on the table as an option.7717Giants GM Joe Schoen said avoiding the franchise tag altogether - by signing both Daniel Jones and Saquon Barkley long term - is on the table as an option.Barkley played the 2022 season on the fifth-year option, which paid him $7.217 million. In his five seasons with the Giants, he has recorded 954 carries for 4,249 yards, 247 catches for 1,820 yards and has scored 37 touchdowns.Barkley had the best season of his career last year as he recorded a career-high 1,312 rushing yards along with 10 rushing touchdowns.If Barkley hits the open market, he will be one of the top running backs to enter free agency. Other pending free agent running backs include Tony Pollard, Josh Jacobs, Miles Sanders, Rashaad Penny and many more.Will the New York Giants re-sign quarterback Daniel Jones?NFC Divisional Playoffs - New York Giants v Philadelphia EaglesQuarterback Daniel Jones is making this off-season hell for the Giants. As they're looking to retain Barkley, Jones is seeking a contract of $45+ million per season.Dov Kleiman@NFL_DovKleimanUpdate: NFL teams now do believe that #Giants QB Daniel Jones genuinely wants $45 million a year, according to @JFowlerESPNIt's &quot;real.&quot;brobible.com/sports/article…85784Update: NFL teams now do believe that #Giants QB Daniel Jones genuinely wants $45 million a year, according to @JFowlerESPNIt's &quot;real.&quot;brobible.com/sports/article… https://t.co/vBgiOLW5WOWhile Jones is seeking a hefty contract, the team is optimistic that they will retain both Jones and Barkley.Judy Battista@judybattista&quot;Cautious optimism&quot; that the Giants will get Daniel Jones and Saquon Barkley contracts done. Jones will be franchise tagged if a deal can't be reached.197&quot;Cautious optimism&quot; that the Giants will get Daniel Jones and Saquon Barkley contracts done. Jones will be franchise tagged if a deal can't be reached. https://t.co/cq20y6zoF0Like Barkley, Jones had a career year last season. He went 9-7-1 as a starter while setting career-highs in pass attempts (317), completions (472), completion percentage (67.2) and yards (3,205) while throwing for 15 touchdowns and just five interceptions.The Giants will be busy from now until the new league year begins and hope to have both Barkley and Jones extended by then. A franchise tag could be placed on one of them, but they're going to have to negotiate hard from now until March 15th.