Inside the Saquon Barkley-Giants contract negotiations: Sticking points and ‘unlikely’ incentives

Saquon Barkley decided the price of missing Giants practices and creating a distraction for his teammates was more than he was willing to pay.

Barkley ended his holdout threat before it ever began and reported to the facility Tuesday morning for the start of training camp after agreeing to terms on one-year deal worth up to $11 million with incentives and including a $2 million signing bonus, sources told The Post.

The sides never stopped negotiating after last Monday’s NFL-imposed deadline for a multi-year extension passed and Barkley was stuck with the one-year franchise tag or the possibility of sitting out to prove a point.

The base pay of $10.1 million is the same as Barkley would have received playing on the tag.

But the $2 million will be paid up front, instead of divided evenly over the course of 18 weeks during the season and the incentives will reward him for a great season that leads the Giants back to the playoffs.

Saquon Barkley agreed to sign a one-year Giants deal ahead of training camp.

Barkley will receive about $300,000 apiece if the Giants make the playoffs and he reaches three individual markers: 1,350 rushing yards, 11 total touchdowns and 65 receptions.

None of those count against the 2023 salary-cap right now because all are considered “unlikely to be earned” since they are higher thresholds than Barkley reached last season.

The possibility of prohibiting the Giants from placing a second franchise tag on Barkley again in 2024 was on the table but proved to be a sticking point that might have dragged out negotiations and delayed the co-captain’s reunion with teammates, sources told The Post.

So, if the Giants choose, they can tag Barkley again for $12.1 million and maintain all the leverage in negotiations next offseason.