New York Giants Saquon Barkley Contract Dispute Won't Alter Love for Big Apple

(Photo : Rich Schultz/Getty Images) EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - Saquon Barkley (#26) of the New York Giants looks on from the bench during the second half of a preseason football game against the Carolina Panthers at MetLife Stadium.

NFL teams looking into acquiring the services of running back Saquon Barkley of the New York Giants may want to think twice.

The 2018 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year aired his preference to stay with the Giants despite contract negotiations hardly gaining ground. Barkley was barely seen during the team's training camp, but this will hardly change his feelings.

Barkley responded to whether he would still want to remain a member of the Giants for the rest of his NFL career, a question raised by Paul Schwartz of the New York Post.

"Oh, yeah. I don't think that really changed. They know how I feel. I'm not really too focused on that right now," the 26-year-old player stated.

Barkley was trying to secure a long-term deal with the Giants but eventually agreed to a one-year deal worth about $11 million. Once this deal runs out, the former Penn State Nittany Lion can explore free agency next summer, NBC Sports reported.

"Once I made the decision I was going to show up and I was going to be there and do my job, you got to put all that aside," Barkley said. "Got to be mature about it."

Worth noting is that Barkley cannot sign a long-term deal with the Giants for the coming NFL season under the rules. The two-time Pro Bowler was initially angry with the team but eventually mellowed down.

Hence, it will be interesting to see how the Giants-Barkley relationship will develop after the 2023-24 NFL season.