The New York Giants are reportedly considering bringing in another running back for training camp after no long-term deal was reached with Saquon Barkley.
The Giants and Barkley had a Monday afternoon deadline to reach a deal, or the base figure of the $10.1 million franchise tag would become finalized for this season. Barkley was one of three running backs and five players slapped with the tag this offseason. Running backs Tony Pollard and Josh Jacobs will be stuck with the tag this year.
Quarterback Lamar Jackson and tight end Evan Engram were given the franchise tag earlier this offseason. They faired better than their running back colleagues in negotiations, fetching long-term agreements before Monday’s deadline.
New York Giants are preparing for Saquon Barkley’s holdout
Barkley threatened to hold out during training camp and possibly into the regular season. During training camp, the Giants need to prepare for the possibility Barkley will refuse to play games starting in September. According to Aaron Wilson with KPRC, the Giants worked out three players, including running back Mark Thompson.
#Giants worked out former #Bills #Jaguars linebacker Joe Giles-Harris, per a league source, in addition to linebacker Kyahva Tezino and running back Mark Thompson. @KPRC2
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) July 17, 2023
NFL News: Mark Thompson has been great in the USFL
Thompson was an undrafted free agent initially signed by the Baltimore Ravens in 2018. He spent time with the New York Jets, Detroit Lions, and Las Vegas Raiders before signing with the USFL’s Houston Gamblers in 2022. Thompson had a great season in 2023. He ran for 655 yards (4.85 yards per rush) and 14 touchdowns.
RJ Young with the USFL compared Thompson to the USFL’s version of Derrick Henry.
We’ll see if the Giants offer Thompson before camp. The Giants are clearly trying to bring in help at the running back position with Barkley’s franchise tag being finalized. According to Our Lads, the Giants currently have Matt Breida slotted as Barkley’s backup.
Breida won’t be able to replace Barkley this season if Barkley holds out into the season. Neither would Thompson. But the Giants must not think the difference in skill level between Barkley, an elite running back in his prime, and a backup, was worth $3 million for the team’s productivity.
That’s the state of a running back’s value in the NFL in 2023.
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