New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley, who is entering the fifth and final year of his rookie contract, is tired of hearing the rumors and rumblings regarding his NFL future.
“I’m just tired of whatever is written about me, the BS that’s said about me or this team,” Barkley told reporters at the Giants’ offseason training session on Wednesday. “I want to go out there and prove to this organization that the player they drafted is still there, I can still do special things with the ball in my hands, and I can help this team.
“One thing I’ve learned is the story that’s going to be told is people are going to shape it the way they want it to be told. I feel like there’s a lot of things that are left out.”
The narrative (or “BS”) Barkley is referring to is one where the Giants are trying to deal him and his $7.2 million salary and that no team, not even the Giants, thinks he is worth that as he is nowhere near the player he once was.
General manager Joe Schoen contends the team is not actively shopping Barkley but it is believed that he will move him should the right offer come along.
Barkley is still aiming to get himself back into form after three seasons interrupted by injuries. He feels he can.
“I definitely feel a lot different, a lot better. I feel like myself again,” Barkley said. “Obviously, I don’t want to jump the gun, I just want to keep focusing on the little things and get better every day. No matter what for the rest of your career, with injuries, every off-season is going to be kind of somewhat rehabbing or prehabbing so you make sure you don’t get injured.
“My mindset is just keep working on the little things and focus on the things that I can control. I can’t control me stepping on someone’s foot and hurting my ankle. I’ve got to put that in the past. I’ve got to worry about taking care of my ankle, I’ve got to worry about taking care of my knee, I’ve got to worry about taking care of all my body parts so I can be healthy — because I know when I’m healthy I know what I can do for this team and what I’m able to bring to the table.”
Barkley was seen taking a high volume of passes at the Giants’ workout on Wednesday. He has always been a better receiver than scrimmage runner as a pro and it looks like the Giants — should they keep Barkley — will use him as receiver out of the backfield in Brian Daboll’s new offense.
“We’ve evaluated him all the way back to year one, all the way through,” Daboll said on Wednesday. “Again, it’s hard right now. We’re going to ask him to do some things out here, get a feel for him. I think he’s a very talented player. He’s a really good person. He’s a good young man. You can tell it’s important to him. He has worked hard. As much as he can handle, that’s what we’ll give him.”
Follow the Giants Wire Podcast:
Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts
