New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley will be an unrestricted free agent come the middle of March unless the team signs him to a new contract or places the franchise tag on him for the second straight year.
Barkley has let it be known that he wants to remain a Giant. General manager Joe Schoen has said the two sides will meet later this month at the NFL combine to discuss a possible deal.
Saquon Barkley on First Take says he wants to remain a Giant, adding he has the utmost confidence in Daniel Jones at the Giants starting QB… pic.twitter.com/Sie5HFMztF
— Jennifer X. Williams (@JenXperience) February 5, 2024
But if things don’t work out and Barkley is permitted to test the free agent waters, the Giants will likely be left at the dock as several other teams have been rumored to be hot for his services.
Former NFL quarterback-turned-television analyst Ryan Leaf, an ex-teammate of incoming Los Angeles Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh, believes Barkley could be a main target for the Bolts in free agency.
“Austin Ekeler’s a big part of what it could be with them running the football, but I do think that Saquon Barkley’s going to be at the top of [Harbaugh’s] list, in terms of, what he wants to do with the running back position with him being a free agent,” Leaf said Friday on Good Morning Football.
“I think they could franchise tag him again; I know that’s a lot of money. But it’s something I know that Jim Harbaugh wants to do. He wants to run the football, and he wants to use those guys down the field with play-action.”
It would cost the Giants around $12.4 million this year to tag Barkley again. They currently have around $37 million in available salary cap space, so it may be too rich for their blood considering all of their roster needs this offseason.
Another possibility — and one Giants fans hope never comes to fruition — is the Dallas Cowboys. RB Tony Pollard is a pending free agent, and the Cowboys aren’t likely to give him a long-term extension this offseason. They might see Barkley as an upgrade.
“Barkley would add a needed big-play element to the Cowboys offense,” writes Jerry Trotta of the popular Cowboys blog The Landry Hat.
“Barkley is a better all-around back than Pollard, including between the tackles where Pollard struggled mightily in 2023. Despite being stuck in a porous Giants offense, he still managed 1,242 scrimmage yards (962 rushing) and 10 total touchdowns. He ranked in the top 10 in yards after contact and explosive runs at the position, per Pro Football Focus.”
Translation: The Giants have to sign or tag Barkley or they will lose him. Tagging him will put a sour taste in his mouth, but they must be careful not to overpay him either. Keep in mind Barkley missed time again last year with another high ankle sprain.
