Barkley breaks silence, tensions escalate

Tensions escalated Wednesday in the Saquon Barkley-giants negotiations with Monday’s 4 p.m. deadline for a long-term contract looming.

First, ESPN reported that the sides remained at a “stalemate,” that Barkley considers the franchise tag “undesirable” and that Barkley’s “availability for Week 1 against the Dallas Cowboys will be in serious question” if he doesn’t get a long-term deal.

Then Profootballtalk reported that the Giants’ $13 million-per-year offer prior to franchise-tagging him included $26 million over the first two years, while Barkley was seeking roughly $16 million a year at that time.

Barkley, who hadn’t spoken on the matter since early June, tweeted two hat emojis in response to that PFT report. That was Barkley saying “cap;” that’s slang for calling the report a lie or false.

It was also reported Thursday that Barkley has added CAA to his contract negotiation team alongside Rocnation. CAA agent Edward Berry, who had previously handled Barkley’s marketing, is now listed alongside Rocnation agent Kim Miale in the NFLPA’S records.

The dueling leaks could signal the beginning of a breaking point in the talks.

Barkley spoke out in June about “misleading” and “untruthful” leaks that mischaracterized the real values of the Giants’ offers and ” tried to make me look like I’m greedy.”

Jets lock up williams: The Jets locked up one of their star players a week before the start of training camp. Defensive tackle Quinnen Williams and the Jets have agreed to a four-year, $96 million contract extension, according to sources. He will make $66 million in guaranteed money.

“We are thrilled to secure Quinnen as a New York Jet for the foreseeable future, as he embodies everything we look for in our players,” Jets general manager Joe Douglas said in a statement.

“He is a leader on and off the field, who does everything asked of him and more. He is a young, ascending player who has shown a consistent ability to dominate the line of scrimmage and help this team win.”