Earlier this week, reports surfaced that New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley had no intention of signing his franchise offer before the team’s offseason schedule begins Monday.
In the midst of the matchup, Barkley received support from an unlikely source Friday: Dallas Cowboys linebacker Micah Parsons.
The Giants and Cowboys may be division rivals, but that didn’t stop Parsons from demanding that Barkley get a big payday.
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Saquon Barkley 26 of the New York Giants warms up before kickoff against the Dallas Cowboys at MetLife Stadium on September 26, 2022 in East Rutherford, NJ (Cooper Neill/Getty Images)
«I mean, yeah, that’s what happens when you’re the best player on your team, idiot! The plan Monday morning is that we don’t let SAQUON BARKLEY BEAT us! People just think we’ll be here playing free for all!» Parson wrote in a tweet.
COWBOYS’ MICAH PARSONS MOCKS JERSEY NUMBER CHANGE, ANNOYING NFL FANS
He ended his statement with an emphatic «Pay him!»
Earlier this offseason, quarterback Daniel Jones agreed to a four-year, $160 million contract with the Giants shortly before the franchise tag deadline.
Defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence could also miss part of the team’s offseason schedule. The Pro Bowl lineman continues to search for a new long-term contract.
Micah Parsons of the Dallas Cowboys walks off the field after a game against the New York Giants on November 24, 2022 in Arlington, Texas. (Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
During a recent episode of former NFL general manager Michael Lombardi’s «GM Shuffle» podcast, Lombardi claimed the Giants were suffering from «me sickness.»
«Everybody in that locker room knows the reason they won was not because of Daniel Jones. He had something to do with it, but he didn’t lead the team. The players know that. You can’t fool the players.» Lombardi said.
«Chronic feeling of worthlessness. Saquon feels worthlessness. Daniel doesn’t, but Saquon does. Dexter does. This is what happens. And they didn’t win enough, and they’re not good enough as a team to carry on.» through this. They didn’t win a championship. They won nine fucking games and beat a shitty Minnesota team and got their asses kicked. They’re not good enough to have my disease.»
Saquon Barkley of the New York Giants in action against the Carolina Panthers during a game at MetLife Stadium on September 18, 2022 in East Rutherford, NJ (Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
Parsons cited a Twitter user who compared Barkley’s stats from the first nine games of the season to the final games.
The Twitter user also wrote that Barkley was «wearing himself out and not being as effective in the last half of the season.»
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Barkley’s ability to stay healthy has always been a concern since he entered the league. He dealt with injuries for three straight seasons from 2019-21.
An ACL injury sidelined him for the entire 2020 season.