Giants RB Saquon Barkley has one big wish this offseason

Saquon Barkley hopes New York Giants general manager Joe Schoen won't wait long to use the franchise tag to retain the running back's rights for 2024 if Schoen intends to go down that road this offseason. 

"They did it last year," Barkley said Monday about being tagged by the Giants, per Ryan Dunleavy of the New York Post. "So, I’m numb to it. I really have no feelings toward that at all. If you are going to do it, just don’t wait until March 5. Let’s get it over with. If not, let me go. Simple." 

The Giants confirmed shortly before last March's deadline for teams to use their franchise tags that they had tagged Barkley after they signed quarterback Daniel Jones to a four-year deal. 

Barkley later suggested he could sit through the start of the regular season if he didn't receive a long-term contract offer to his liking, but he eventually signed an adjusted tag to report to training camp on time. 

That amended agreement doesn't prevent Schoen from tagging Barkley again this winter. 

During Monday's end-of-season news conference, Schoen told reporters that using a second tag on Barkley reportedly worth roughly $12.1M for 2024 is "a tool that we have at our disposal." 

While Barkley has repeatedly said he wants "to be a Giant for life," the 26-year-old drafted by the organization in 2018 seemed annoyed while speaking about his current employer on Monday morning. 

"I went through the whole process last year," Barkley added, according to Field Level Media (h/t ESPN). "We talked more than enough last year, to be honest. I'm gonna let my agents handle that." 

It's worth noting that Schoen tagging Barkley again wouldn't stop the Giants from signing or trading the veteran ball-carrier either before or after this year's draft. 

If Schoen doesn't utilize that tool, it seems likely Barkley will at least test the open market for the first time as a pro when the new league year opens in March.