The New York Giants are a badly run organization that issues on and off the field. The team will need to clear salary cap space this offseason and general manager Joe Schoen has already placed that number at roughly $40 million. They may lead to the exit of a prominent player.
Four years ago, Saquon Barkley was all the rave in New York, but injuries have taken him down considerably. Barkley quickly made his presence felt for the Giants, leading the entire NFL with 2,028 yards from scrimmage as a rookie.
Once viewed as the next big-time running back to cash-in and a surefire candidate to receive a second contract from the Giants, Barkley’s future in New York is being talked about being over.
ESPN insider Jeremy Fowler doesn’t see a sensible scenario where Barkley inks a long-term deal in 2023. In fact, he floats two potential trade destinations for the 24-year-old this offseason.
“It might be time. It has been four years. Barkley has high-quality traits, but the Giants need to exhaust all options for their rebuild,” Fowler wrote. “Enough teams are still enamored by his skill set that they could be interested in a potential deal. Many still view Barkley as a top-shelf tailback when healthy.
He’s due $7.2 million on a fifth-year option, and doing a long-term deal in New York for the 2023 free agent just doesn’t make sense for either side. Barkley in San Francisco’s offense would be fun, and Tampa Bay could have an opening if free agent Leonard Fournette signs elsewhere.”
After appearing in all 16 games as a rookie, the former Pro Bowler has missed 21 games since 2019, and that inluces four in 2021. Barkley could only produce 592 yards and two touchdowns on 162 carries.
It is highly unlikely the Giants will extend Barkley for the future, so trying to get something for him now is the best option going forward.
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How much would teams be willing to part with for a highly paid, but often injured running back? Probably, not much at all.
