Saquon Barkley is mending relationships on and off the field.
At Thursday’s Giants training camp, a fan in a Barkley jersey held a sign that read “Saquon my ex will take me back if you sign this.”
Barkley walked over to the boy and inked his signature on the corner of the poster, adding “Hi Sydney!” — presumably the estranged girlfriend.
The running back then posed for a photo with the fan.
“Saquon did his part. Your move @ ex-girlfriend,” the Giants tweeted along with a video of the interaction.
Barkley, 26, is back in action with the Big Blue after the two sides failed to reach an agreement on a multiyear extension by the NFL-imposed July 17 deadline for franchise tagged players.
It seemed like the two-time Pro Bowler was either going to sign his franchise tag or threaten to sit out of the 2023 season to make a point.
However, Barkley ended up signing a one-year contract worth up to $11 million, including a $2 million signing bonus, on Tuesday and reported to Giants training camp on Wednesday.
“I have a great amount of respect for him, great amount of appreciation and love for him, and glad he’s in the building. I know his teammates are glad,” head coach Brian Daboll said.
While it’s not a loaded long term deal like Barkley wanted, it settles the drama for now and reunites the star with his teammates.
Barkley’s new contract guarantees him the franchise-tag salary for running backs, $10.1 million, with the opportunity to bring it up to $11 million if he reaches incentives for rushing (1,350 yards), receiving (65 catches) and touchdowns (11).
These incentives only get triggered if Barkley and his squad make the playoffs.
“Obviously we are glad we were able to work things out with Saquon,” Giants general manager Joe Schoen said in a statement.
“We all recognize the player and person Saquon is and what he means to our team. He is a good teammate, a leader and a really good player.”