The New York Giants gave quarterback Daniel Jones a long-term contract this offseason and only franchise tagged running back Saquon Barkley. Barkley doesn’t like the fact that he didn’t get a long-term contract – and is now openly talking about a holdout

Thanks to quarterback Daniel Jones, but also thanks to running back Saquon Barkley, the New York Giants made it to the Divisional Round last season. The best season result in more than ten years.

The reward for Jones: a four-year contract that pays him around 40 million dollars. Barkley’s reward: the franchise tag and no new contract. That pisses the running back off. Negotiations between him and the Giants have been going on for months – without success. They are the talk of the NFL at the moment.

Now Barkley has spoken publicly about his contract situation – and is threatening a holdout.

“My bargaining chip? ‘F**** you Giants!”

On the “Money Matters” podcast, the 26-year-old spoke about his situation in New York. “What my bargaining chip is? I could say F**** you Giants, F**** you teammates.” This is the first time Barkley has hinted at sitting out the season with a holdout.

“If it has to come to that, I don’t think I have a choice. I never thought I would even think about something like this,” the ball carrier explained. “Am I prepared for it? I don’t know. “

Barkley would be the first big name since Le’Veon Bell in 2018, who also sat out the season. “What else do you want me to show you guys? You want me to show you guys how valuable I am? I don’t show up, then you see how valuable I am,” he philosophised of his options. “But anyone who knows me knows I wouldn’t actually do something like that. “

Barkley affirms: not about the most money

By his own admission, the former Penn State running back isn’t in it to make the most money. “I could beat out the most money, but I want to win. And if we bring titles to New York, that’s worth so much more than money,” Barkley affirms.

The interview was recorded back on July 11, before the deadline on contract extensions that has since passed. The Giants’ 26 didn’t sign their franchise tag, so accordingly he can’t be penalized for missing training camp.

Where he goes from here is still completely up in the air. A holdout seems more likely than ever.