At the 2022 NFL Combine in Indianapolis, New York Giants general manager Joe Schoen acknowledged that he’s open to trading several of the team’s big-name players. That includes running back Saquon Barkley.
“We’re still working through that, but I’m open to anything. Like whether it’s trading player for player. I’ll listen to anybody,” Schoen told reporters. “I’m not going to say we’re open for business on our entire roster. But if anybody is going to call and they’re interested in any of our players, I’ll certainly listen.
“We’re in a situation where unfortunately we have to get under the salary cap and we’re not in very good salary cap health. I’m not going to say yes to every deal, but I’m definitely going to listen and be open to situations that are best for the New York Giants.”
While the Giants may be open to dealing Barkley, they’d like to get something of quality in return. And therein lies the problem for New York.
Barkley is coming off multiple injury-plagued seasons, including a 2021 campaign that saw him miss four games due to ankle injuries. He’s also less than two years removed from a torn ACL and has not played like the explosive rookie we saw in 2018.
NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport previously reported that Barkley is unlikely to be traded due to his market value. Most teams view his worth around mid-range level at best, which is far less enticing for Schoen & Co. But ESPN’s Dan Graziano is leaving the door open to a deal — perhaps even expecting it.
More and more, I’m getting the sense that Saquon Barkley won’t be on the Giants in 2022. The team is open to trading him, as GM Joe Schoen indicated at the combine. And while his $7.2 million salary isn’t the top target in New York’s cap-saving efforts, it would help. The Giants’ hope is that a contending team with a need for one more explosive player on offense (Buffalo or Arizona?) might offer a midround pick for Barkley.
We’re just not seeing it unless the Giants become desperate to shed that salary. A mid- to late-round pick for a player with Barkley’s potential just doesn’t seem worth it for the team — at least not right now.
