The New York Giants will not place the franchise tag on Saquon Barkley this offseason, which will allow him to become an unrestricted free agent.

A second straight tag for Barkley would cost $12.1 million, but it also wouldn't have been openly embraced. Barkley has been adamant over the past 18 months about not wanting to be tagged.

Barkley, 27, played last season on an adjusted franchise tag that netted him $10.1 million after the two sides failed to reach agreement on a long-term deal.

Barkley rushed for just 962 yards and six touchdowns for the Giants last season, missing three games with a high ankle sprain suffered in a Week 2 win over the Arizona Cardinals.