Rob Ninkovich tells what might be root of Saquon Barkley's frustration with Giants

• NFL

Former New England Patriots star Rob Ninkovich thinks the root of Saquon Barkley's frustration with the New York Giants might stem from the running back seeing that "mediocre quarterback" Daniel Jones got his money while he didn't get his wish granted.

Barkley, who was one of the keys to the Giants' success in 2022, didn't get the long-term deal he was seeking this offseason. In March, the Giants signed Jones to a multiyear deal, while Barkley was franchise-tagged. After failing to agree with the Giants on a new deal before the July 17 deadline, Barkley could still sign his franchise tag tender and earn $10.1 million in 2023.

But there is also a strong possibility that Barkley will opt to hold out in 2023.

Ninkovich on Barkley: Probably hard to see that 'mediocre QB' Jones got paid

“For Saquon, it’s gotta be really hard for him to look at the quarterback who’s making 40 million dollars a year, who basically relies on him to run the ball to set up his play-action passes — and he’s mediocre.

So if I’m Saquon, I’m telling, ‘Hey Daniel, go get some more bubble wrap. Go put double braces on. Brace up and you run the football, and I’ll watch,'" Ninkovich said on ESPN's Get Up. This week, Barkley removed Giants from his social media bios.

That was a very clear indication that Barkley isn't happy at all with the Giants right now. Reflecting on that, former two-time Super Bowl champion Ninkovich says that happens when you feel disrespected by a team. “So when the team comes to you and they’re giving you a contract that you feel doesn’t represent the value that you bring to the organization, that is when your emotions can take over and the frustration can turn into anger,” Ninkovich said. Barkley is presumably now taking his time to decide his next move.