The Giants began organized team activities (OTAs) this week with a notable absence. Running back Saquon Barkley isn't attending because of a contract dispute in which there have been plenty of twists and turns. 

The Giants attempted to negotiate a contract extension with Barkley's representatives last November around the bye week. An offer reportedly averaging $12.5 million per year was made by the Giants. General manager Joe Schoen indicated at the time the two sides "weren't really that close" to reaching an agreement.

Negotiations resumed after the Giants lost to the Eagles in the divisional playoffs, as re-signing Barkley was an offseason priority along with quarterback Daniel Jones. According to multiple reports, the Giants upped their offer to $13 million per year with incentives, making the deal worth as much as $14 million per year. Reaching an agreement with Jones on a four-year, $160 million deal worth up to $195 million thanks to incentives and salary escalators allowed the Giants to designate Barkley as franchise player for $10.091 million on March 7 to prevent him from hitting the open market.

At the NFL owners meeting in late March, Schoen revealed that the offer was no longer on the table where a step was taken back after giving Barkley a franchise tag. Giants co-owner John Mara indicated that he wanted Barkley to spend his entire career with the team.

"Our message to him is still very much, 'We want you back, want you to be one of the leaders of this team, want you to be one of the faces of this franchise,'" Mara said during the owners meeting. "But there's a limit as to how far we can go. We have to build a team around you. We've gone just about as far as we can."