Will Saquon Barkley Holdout The 2023 Season? Fantasy Football Outlook

New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley was the second overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft. Barkley had an outstanding college career, totaling 671 rushing attempts for 3,843 yards and 43 touchdowns in his three years at Penn State.

Barkley had a historic rookie season, totaling 261 rushing attempts for 1,307 yards and 11 touchdowns. He also had 91 receptions on 121 targets for 721 receiving yards and four touchdowns that year, finishing second among running backs with 91 receptions.

Unfortunately, injuries have limited the star running back. Barkley missed 42.9% of the games over the next three years. Thankfully, things changed last season, and the superstar stayed healthy.

• Quarterback fantasy football rankings
• Running back fantasy football rankings
• Wide receiver fantasy football rankings
• Tight end fantasy football rankings
• Kicker fantasy football rankings
• FLEX fantasy football rankings
• Defense (D/ST) fantasy football rankings
• Superflex fantasy football rankings
• IDP fantasy football rankings
• Dynasty fantasy football rankings

What Did Saquon Barkley Accomplish In 2022?

The Giants hired Brian Daboll as their new head coach last offseason, giving the offense a creative play caller. Barkley had the best year of his career since his rookie season in 2022. He had 295 rushing attempts for 1,312 yards and 10 touchdowns. The superstar finished fourth in rushing attempts and yards while finishing ninth in rushing touchdowns last year.

Meanwhile, Barkley had a productive year in the passing game. He had 57 receptions on 76 targets for 338 receiving yards. Furthermore, the superstar running back led the Giants in receptions and targets.

New York placed the franchise tag on Barkley earlier this offseason. However, the superstar running back is unhappy with the tag and hasn’t signed the deal or shown up for any offseason programming.

Will Saquon Barkley Holdout The 2023 Season?

The Giants started mandatory minicamp today. Unfortunately, Barkley wasn’t present. The superstar running back is frustrated with contract negotiations. Furthermore, he says he will contemplate sitting out the 2023 season.

Since Barkley hasn’t signed the franchise tag, the superstar running back is technically a free agent. That means the Giants can’t fine him for not showing up, nor does Barkley have to be on the field come Week 1.

Le’Veon Bell sat out the entire 2018 season after the Pittsburgh Steelers used the franchise tag on the superstar running back. While fantasy players are fearful Barkley could do the same thing, that outcome is unlikely.

Typically a long-term deal gets worked out the closer we get to the franchise tag deadline next month. Furthermore, Barkley would be foolish to sit out the season and give up the $10.1 million salary only for New York to place the franchise tag on him again next year.

More Fantasy Football Analysis