Getty Image / Bryan Bennett
The NFL trade deadline is looming as October 31st approaches, when teams have until 4 p.m. to make any final trades this season. New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley has made it explicitly clear that he does not want to be traded before the deadline.
Speaking with reporters on Thursday, Saquon Barkley spelled out his wishes. He told ESPN’s Jordan Raanan “Sitting here, everyone knows how I feel. Everyone knows I don’t want to get traded. I don’t think anyone in their right mind would want to get traded anywhere. It’s not an easy thing to do. You have to move. I have a family. I would love to be here.”
Barkley added “But like I said, it’s not in my control. My focus is to be the leader I can be for this team and get this thing on the right track.”
Saquon Barkley has only appeared in 3 games this season due to a high ankle sprain but he was healthy enough for 93 yards on the ground and 24 carries during the Giants’ 9-14 loss to the Bills last Sunday. He’ll now look to break the Giants’ historic streak of 3 games without scoring an offensive touchdown.
Is Saquon Barkley On The Trading Block?
Saquon’s been with the G-Men for his entire career. They drafted him out of Penn State with the 2nd overall pick in 2018. He exploded out of the gates and won the Offensive Rookie of the Year award. He’s a 2-time Pro Bowler. And though he’s struggled with injuries throughout his career that is par for the course with NFL running backs and nothing out of the ordinary.
The reason his name might be swirling in trade talks s due to just how bad the New York Giants are right now. They are 1-5 with a disastrous situation at quarterback. It has already reached a point where trading for future talent and looking ahead to the NFL Draft might be in the Giants’ best interests.
Meanwhile, Saquon Barkley has 1-year on his current contract with the New York Giants before he becomes an unrestricted free agent in 2024. But he’s spent 6 seasons with the Giants, his family is there, his home is there, he does not want to move.
Rich Paul, LeBron James’ business partner in the Klutch Sports Group, spoke about athlete loyalty recently. Paul’s perspective on athlete loyalty was fascinating because he encourages these uber wealthy athletes to look out for themselves first and foremost.
However, in this instance, it does seem that Saquon Barkley is looking out for himself and his family by choosing to state his desire to stay in Jersey at Met Life.
While there are a lot of whispers about whether or not the Giants should trade Saquon, there have not been any substantial rumors yet about where they’d trade him and for what. That could quickly change with 11 days left before the NFL’s trade deadline.