Giants GM: 'Ecstatic' to have Saquon at camp, never discussed trading RB

New York Giants general manager Joe Schoen is glad to have Saquon Barkley back in the fold following an offseason full of negotiations.

Schoen said he was "ecstatic" and "fired up" to have Barkley in training camp, according to team reporter Dan Salomone. The star running back was at risk of holding out. But, just before camp opened, he agreed to an amended franchise tag deal reportedly worth up to $11 million over one year.

The conversations between Barkley and the Giants hit a crossroads after they were unable to reach a long-term agreement prior to the deadline for tagged players to sign extensions. However, Schoen has come to peace with the situation.

"We came to a landing spot, they came to a landing spot and we weren't able to bridge the gap," Schoen said to reporters, including Ralph Vacchiano of Fox Sports. "And that's OK."

Schoen added that the team never discussed trading the two-time Pro Bowler in the offseason. It was reported earlier this week that, this summer, the Miami Dolphins and another team made trade offers for Barkley that made the Giants balk.

"We never had a conversation about trading Saquon Barkley," Schoen said, per ESPN's Jordan Raanan.

Barkley posted a career-high 1,312 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns last season and helped New York reach the postseason for the first time since 2016.

"We're a better football team with Saquon here," Schoen said.

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