Joe Schoen doesn’t anticipate any contract negotiations during the 2023 season, and the Giants general manager added Thursday that nothing has been planned though several critical decisions are looming.
“I won’t say we won’t do it,” Schoen said, “but we have nothing on the docket right now.”
During Schoen’s first year with the Giants, his most notable contract negotiation centered around star running back Saquon Barkley.
The Post’s Paul Schwartz reported that Barkley turned down an offer worth $12.5 million during the 2022 bye week.
The sides couldn’t reach a deal, the Giants used the franchise tag, Barkley refused to sign and a standoff continued until he agreed to a one-year contract ahead of training camp.
Barkley’s future with the Giants will again top their priority list next offseason, but Schoen’s latest comments confirmed, again, that they won’t negotiate midseason with safety Xavier McKinney — though Schoen cautioned he’ll “never say never.”
Earlier in training camp, McKinney said he was focused on the Giants’ outlook instead of the lingering factors — such as the availability of the franchise tag — that could directly impact his future.
Asked Thursday how he’d define personal success in 2023, which also couples as perhaps his most pivotal one yet, McKinney told The Post that he wants to “let loose” and “do what I do.”
“Just be elite,” McKinney said. “I believe I’m an elite safety. I believe that I put elite tape out there. Now, it’s just time to show it again. That’s really it.”
Schoen also said Thursday that defensive lineman Leonard Williams won’t get a new deal before the season.
Schoen was “really happy” with how Barkley reported and performed in training camp after his contract standoff.
Barkley didn’t play in any of the preseason games, but he was a regular participant in camp sessions alongside the first-team offense.
“He’s had a really good camp,” Schoen said. “He came in in shape, voted a captain. His leadership stood out from Day 1.”
The Giants filled the final four spots on their practice squad: RB Taiwan Jones, OL Jalen Mayfield, WR Dennis Houston and TE Tyree Jackson. … WR Parris Campbell received another veteran rest day, head coach Brian Daboll said.
DB Kaleb Hayes and OT Jaylon Thomas were signed to the practice squad Thursday, and DB Gemon Green and OT Tyre Phillips were released. DB Zyon Gilbert was also waived with an injury settlement, according to the Giants’ transaction page.
Jones mostly recently played with the Bills, where he logged 74, 71 and 61 percent of their special teams snaps the past three seasons.
Mayfield, a third-round pick in 2021, was cut by the Falcons.
Houston, a former undrafted free agent, played in two games in 2022 with the Cowboys.
Jackson, who was cut by the Eagles, transitioned to tight end after playing quarterback in college.
Schoen, who lived in Dallas for 11 years, opened his press conference by remembering ex-Cowboys executive Gil Brandt, who died Thursday at 91. He was 91 years old.
“Somebody in my position that I looked up to and was a mentor for me,” Schoen said. “Enjoyed a lot of long drives on the road when I was out scouting listening to him on the radio. So definitely a sad day for me.”
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