Getty Image / Jim McIsaac
Many fans around the NFL would like to see ultra-talented New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley take his talents to somewhere other than a Giants franchise that has been absolutely terrible since his arrival. But, once again, Barkley has made it known that his wishes are to remain a Giant.
Barkley, who was threatened with the Franchise Tag before agreeing to a one-year deal with the team during training camp prior to the season, is a pending free agent heading into the 2024 offseason.
On Wednesday, Saquon Barkley spoke out about his future contract situation and impending free agency. Here’s Pro Football Talk with more.
“I’ve mentioned before that I wanted to be a Giant for life,” Barkley said from the team’s locker room, via SNY. “That was a goal of mine when I got drafted. I wanted to leave a legacy here, but it’s out of my control. I truly have no say. It’s really up to those guys upstairs. . . . Me sitting here saying I want to be a Giant for life like I did last year doesn’t help or doesn’t hurt, so I’ll just leave it up to those guys.”
Barkley was also asked if a fresh start is appealing to him.
“Did a fresh start cross my mind? I guess anybody — when you look at the season, the way it went — that anybody would want a fresh start,” Barkley said. “I’m not saying somewhere else, just a clean slate. That’s how I look at it, to be honest. If I hit the open market, that’s God’s plan for me to get another opportunity and to continue to try to create a legacy for myself in my football career.”
Despite playing behind one of the worst offensive lines in the league with no viable options at quarterback or at wide receiver, Saquon Barkley has managed to have a solid year in New York. With one game remaining in the season, Saquon Barkley has 916 yards rushing, with an outside shot to get to 1000 yards for the second-straight year. Considering he missed a few games early in the season with an injury, it’s been another good year. Managing 4.0 yards per carry behind that offensive line with defenses keying on him when he’s in the game is nothing short of a miracle.
It makes sense for Barkley to want to stay in New York on some levels. He grew up near Allentown, PA, which is around a ninety-minute drive from MetLife Stadium. Plus, New York City is a great place for endorsement deals, and he likely doesn’t want to force a move on his young family.
But, for the sake of his career, it makes sense for Saquon Barkley, who will be 27 by the time the season starts next year, to look to leave for a better offense where he could have a few career-defining years. He’s arguably the most talented running back in the league. Imagine him in a scheme like the one in Miami or San Francisco, places that make it really easy on their playmakers. He obvoiusly won’t be a 49er next year, but anywhere he’s actually set up to succeed would allow him to show the talents that made him the second-overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft.
The Giants could franchise tag Barkley, preventing him from entering unrestricted free agency once again.
Barkley and the Giants finish their season against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday.