Saquon Barkley and the NY Giants still have a ‘gap’ in their figures as contract talks rumble on

The New York Giants and their star running back have a “gap hole” in contract negotiations with Saquon Barkley, who is soon to become a free agent.

Big Blue has until March 13 before other franchises can begin negotiations with the two-time Pro Bowler.

According to the New York Postthe Giants aren’t willing to go much beyond a $12.5 million annual average and going forward, a disparity “still exists” in the most recent talks.

It’s a defining period in the Brian Daboll era with quarterback Daniel Jones also poised to hit the free agency market.

Daboll and general manager Joe Schoen have until the end of March 7 to tag Jones or Barkley.

Saquon Barkley and the New York Giants are reportedly misaligned in contract negotiations.

Barkley had a career-high 1,312 rushing yards as New York made an upset run to the playoffs.

In Barkley’s case, New York has little interest in using the tag, which would cost the franchise $10.1 million next season.

Rather, they are more interested in delaying the contract, adopting a salary cap similar to the first year of Browns running back Nick Chubb’s second contract.

Chubb then had a salary cap of $4.7 million and is “more in line” with the current thinking of the East Rutherford team.

The second-round pick out of Georgia earned a three-year, $36.6 million contract extension ($20 million guaranteed) in Cleveland.

In a comeback year for the former Penn State star, Barkley rushed for a career-high 1,312 rushing yards.

That total put him fourth in the league behind Chubb, Tennessee’s Derrick Henry and Las Vegas’ Josh Jacobs.

Barkley was the No. 2 overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft and was taken ahead of Chubb and Bills quarterback Josh Allen by former general manager Dave Gettleman.

Barkley was rejuvenated under first-year head coach Brian Daboll during his 9-7-1 season