Jim Harbaugh Presented With Golden Opportunity as the Giants Refuse to Place Franchise Tag on Saquon Barkley

“Give us some flexibility. A little bit more increased flexibility”, said Jim Harbaugh during his initial Q&A regarding hiring Saquon Barkley as the running back. It was when the storm hadn’t hit the Chargers’, the $45 million salary cap storm, that shook Jim Harbaugh and Co. to their core. The staff had to douse their plan on giving their roster an overhaul as their veteran players Joey Bosa and Keenan Allen, among others, have their $20 million plus contracts due. Thanks to some contract restructures, the franchise is now at above $22 million.

To further heighten Harbaugh’s dilemma, Joey Allen and Keenan Bosa have set in stone about them ‘not going anywhere’. So has Saquon Barkley. When he was asked about playing for Jim Harbaugh during the Up and Adams interview, he was “definitely not against the opportunity.” The opportunity has presented itself, and no it’s all in Jim Harbaugh’s hands, to secure or not secure Saquon Barkley.

Giants set Saquon Barkley free

Joe Schoen, the general manager of New York Giants and Co, made an announcement on Tuesday morning about their most in-vouge free agent. Well, former free agent, as the franchise has decided not to put up their tag on him this season. End of an era? Sure. But each end has an opportunity for the conception of a new era. With Saquon Barkley hitting the open market, the real question is this: Will Jim Harbaugh seize the golden opportunity to lock the RB he wanted on his roster?

The franchise tag on Barkley cost about $12.1 million for the 2021 season, per the NFL.com. Barkley failed to meet the standard he set in the 2022 season, where he scrimmaged his way around 1,650 yards. In 2023 however, those numbers fell to 962 rush yards and six rushing TDs along with 41 receptions for 280 yards and four TDs in 14 starts in 2023. While Barkley’s stats are enough to make a grown man like Jim Harbaugh swoon, his contract rates are the ones making him stop dead in his tracks.

What’s stopping Jim Harbaugh from getting the man?

In one word: money. The NY Post says that Barkley is ‘likely to demand a sizable contract and the Chargers don’t have money to spend.’ Partially true, especially now that Jim Harbaugh and Co. are just $22 million above the cap. One more contract restructures and Harbaugh might be good to go.

READ ALSO: Chargers Rumors: Here’s How Jim Harbaugh’s $25 Million Dilemma Puts Saquon Barkley Move to Chargers in Limbo

However, the number that would come with Saquon Barkley would also be as massive as Barkley’s popularity. Jordan Renan, ESPN host, estimated Barkley’s contract to be around $24-25 million. On the other end, young players like Morgan Fox are estimated to be around eight times less expensive as compared to elite-class running backs like Barkley. So, which side would Harbaugh pick? Stay tuned to find out!