The NFL offseason is always filled with excitement and anticipation as teams make moves to improve their rosters, and one of the most intriguing aspects of the offseason is the use of the franchise tag.
This tool allows teams to retain their best players for at least one more season while they negotiate long-term contracts. However, for three star running backs, the franchise tag has led to uncertainty about their futures.
Saquon Barkley, the dynamic running back for the New York Giants, finds himself in a precarious situation. Barkley was the centerpiece of the Giants' offense and played a crucial role in their journey to the divisional round of the NFL playoffs last season.
However, despite his contributions, Barkley and the Giants were unable to come to terms on a long-term contract. As a result, Barkley will play the 2023 season on the franchise tag, reports The Express.
The negotiations between Barkley and the Giants went "down to the wire," according to NFL Network insider Tom Pelissero. Barkley had even hinted at the possibility of sitting out the upcoming season if a deal couldn't be reached before the deadline.
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While he will honour the franchise tag, there are questions about his commitment to the team and whether he might choose to sit out at some point during the season. Barkley's cryptic tweet after the deadline, saying "It is what it is," only added fuel to the fire.
Despite the uncertainty, there's no denying Barkley's talent and impact on the field. He is one of the most explosive running backs in the league and had a stellar 2022 season.
Barkley rushed for 1,312 yards and 10 touchdowns on a career-high 295 attempts, earning his second Pro Bowl nod. The Giants will be relying on him to continue his impressive performances in the upcoming season.
Saquon Barkley (Getty)Another running back who finds himself in a similar situation is Josh Jacobs of the Las Vegas Raiders. Jacobs, who led the NFL in rushing yards last season, was unable to reach a contract extension with the Raiders before the franchise tag deadline.
Jacobs, drafted by the Raiders in the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft, had a standout season in 2022, tallying 1,653 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns. His performance earned him recognition as one of the top running backs in the league.
However, without a long-term contract in place, Jacobs has yet to sign the $10.091 million tender offered to him. The Raiders will be hoping to secure his services for the upcoming season, but the situation remains unresolved.
The third running back facing uncertainty due to the franchise tag is Tony Pollard of the Dallas Cowboys. Pollard, who has served as a valuable backup to star running back Ezekiel Elliott, was also unable to secure a long-term contract before the deadline.
Pollard has been an important contributor to the Cowboys' offense, providing a change of pace and explosive playmaking ability. In the 2022 season, he rushed for 1,109 yards and 10 touchdowns, showcasing his talent and potential as a starting running back.
The franchise tag is designed to give teams the opportunity to retain their best players while they negotiate long-term contracts. As the 2023 season approaches, all three running backs will be looking to prove their worth and secure their long-term futures in the NFL.
This article was crafted with the help of AI tools, which speed up Mirror.co.uk ’s editorial research. A content editor reviewed this content before it was published. You can report any errors to readercomplaints@reachplc.com .
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