Injuries can change the course of a career. Major injuries often lead to dizziness.
Saquon Barclay is rehab following surgery on October 30 to repair a torn anterior crucinate ligament in his right knee. Although challenging and emotionally draining for the athlete, these are routine and major procedures in this day and age, and players often recover completely. Nevertheless, Barclay is running back with tree-trunk legs and unusual speed and agility. The giants are eager to see what their star looks like in spring and summer.
Leading into his fourth NFL season, it will be time for the 24-year-old Barclay to sign a new deal – he is on the back end of his four-year, $ 31.1 million rookie contract. However, the injury complicates his financial future and is making an agreement on a new deal before this season next to impossible.
How can veterans place market value on surgical players? And how can Barclay demand top-dollar when he has yet to prove what it once was?
The Giants have to determine by May 3 whether they will choose Barclay’s fifth-year option. Doing so is not a financial burden. The salary cap for 2021 was officially set at $ 182.5 million per team on Wednesday, a fifth-year option for Barclay – noting that he was selected for a Pro Bowl in his career – for the 2022 season Is set at $ 7.2 million. That money is fully guaranteed regardless of injury.
This is the bargaining rate for a star player – if Barclay emerges as a star player again – and appears to be an easy move for the Giants. They have no reason not to make choices. This puts the No. 2 pick from the 2018 draft under team control for the next two years.
Berkeley counted $ 10 million on the 2021 cap, meaning that a fifth-year option in 2022 would actually be a reduction on the cap for the Giants. Depending on how Berkeley returns and performs this season, the Giants can – and probably will – get a new deal for Barclay so that he does not play on a fifth-year contract.
Apparently, Barclay’s injury complicates a long-term deal anytime soon.
“Well, I think that’s part of the discussion and obviously we’re going to make a decision in the spring whether we opt for their fifth year or not,” general manager Dave Getelman said. “You know, again, it comes back to that medical question. It’s unknown, and what you need to do is involve your trainer and your doctors and make your best decision.”
This is the second week of March, so Getleman does not have to know about his intentions as to what comes next with Barclay. It is also notable to hear that the “decision” to be made as an option for the fifth year, but this is probably just posture and caution. Certainly, the Giants will receive Barclay this spring, and their medical personnel will check on their progress after reconstructive surgery.
After a sensational rookie season – 1,307 rushing yards, 91 receptions for 721 yards and 15 total touchdown scores – Barclay battled a high ankle sprain in 2019 (his number of yards for 1,003 yards, 438 yards and eight total Dropped 52 receptions) for a touchdown. Barclay went down last season 2, and the Giants went on to become one of the most ineffective offenses in the league, finishing 31st in scoring.
“Every team needs playmakers, let’s be honest,” Getman said. “Good God willing, Saquon will be 100 percent, and obviously he will make a big difference. A healthy Saquon obviously makes a big difference.”
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