The New York Giants open the 2023 NFL regular season against the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday Night Football in 60 days.

If Saquon Barkley doesn't have a long-term deal signed in five days, he'll reportedly consider sitting out the Giants' Week 1 game on September 10.

Barkley's "availability for Week 1 against the Dallas Cowboys will be in serious question" if he doesn't have a new deal, according to ESPN's Dianna Russini.

In search of long-term contract, Barkley has not yet signed the $10.091million franchise tag he received by the Giants earlier this offseason.

The deadline for franchise-tagged players to reach long-term deals is Monday, and if he doesn't have a contract finalised by then, he'll have to wait until after the 2023 season to reach a new agreement.

Barkley did not report to any of the Giants' offseason programs and apparently is willing to continue to hold out if the negotiations remain at a standstill.

The 26-year-old Barkley is coming off a bounce-back season following injury-marred years in 2020 and 2021.

He ranked fourth in the NFL with a career-high 1,312 rushing yards in 2022, while scoring 10 touchdowns to earn a Pro Bowl selection - his first since 2018, when he was also named the Offensive Rookie of the Year.

His 57 receptions were tied for the team lead last season and his 1,650 scrimmage yards were seventh most in the league.

In 60 career games, the former No. 2 overall pick has 4,249 rushing yards, 1,820 receiving yards and 37 total touchdowns.

 

Saquon Barkley has made it clear the franchise tag is undesirable. I’m told his availability for Week 1 against the Dallas Cowboys will be in serious question if he does not get a long-term deal from the Giants.

— Dianna Russini (@diannaESPN) July 12, 2023