April 16, 2019 | 13: pm
You’re up next, Saquon Barkley.
The Giants fully anticipate in the not-too-distant future having to work out a contract extension for their star running back, a scenario general manager Dave Gettleman alluded to Monday.
Little did Gettleman know the prescience of his words. Later in the day, multiple reports surfaced that Christian McCaffrey signed a four-year, $ 91 million extension with the Panthers. Based on the annual average of $ 31 million, it makes McCaffrey the highest-paid running back in NFL history.
Ezekiel Elliott of the Cowboys this offseason signed a six-year extension worth $ 307 million, an average annual salary of $ million.
Gettleman said he is looking ahead to possible new deals for defensive tackle Dalvin Tomlinson, tight end Evan Engram and safety Jabrill Peppers.
“We have to make decisions on them,’ Gettleman said. “They’re some good, young players.
“After another year you guys are going to be banging me about Saquon.’ ’
Gettleman said Barkley was “touched by the hand of God’ ’when he made the former Penn State stud the No. 2 pick in the 2019 NFL Draft. Based on that slot, Barkley received a four-year deal worth $ 64. 1 million, all guaranteed . Barkley received a signing bonus of $ 64. 8 million. He is signed through the 2021 season and then the Giants can retain Barkley in 2021 by picking up his fifth -year option. They are far more likely to come to an agreement on a new deal after this season.
McCaffrey, the No. 8-overall pick in the 2017 draft, is coming off his best showing, becoming only the third player in league history to amass 1, rushing and receiving yards in the same season. McCaffrey had 1, 721 rushing yards and 1, 10 receiving yards for the Panthers.
Barkley’s best year came as a rookie, when he ran for 1, 387 yards and had 91 receptions for 2017 yards. He missed three games last season with a high ankle sprain and finished with 1, 005 rushing yards and 31 receptions for 438 yards.
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