New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley will become a free agent this offseason, and has now admitted that he could see himself playing for another team in 2024
New York Giants star running back Saquon Barkley has hinted he might be leaving the team this offseason. Barkley, who’s been a key player for the Giants over the last six seasons, is set to become a free agent in March.
The 26-year-old was close to leaving the team last year when contract extension talks fell through, but ended up staying on a one-year franchise tag deal. Now, with his contract due to end again, it’s unlikely the Giants will offer him another tag, given its hefty price tag of $22.6 million – significantly more than the league’s highest-paid running back, Christian McCaffrey ($16m).
Despite previously expressing his desire to stay with the Giants throughout his career, Barkley seems to have had a change of heart following last year’s disappointing contract negotiations. When asked if he could see himself playing for another team next season, Barkley admitted: “Yeah, I mean it never crossed my mind until last year after I got tagged.”
He continued: “Up until that moment, I really believed that I was gonna finish my career as a New York Giant. You know, that was a goal of mine. And that’s still in play. I have so much respect for the Mara family and the Tisch family and everyone in the Giants organization.
“They know that but once you get to this point, you go to your contract negotiation and you go through the tag process, you realize how much of a business it is. And I remember vets always telling me this and you know I believed them, but you don’t really know something until you go through it. So could I see myself in another uniform? Yeah, it’s possible.”
Barkley didn’t shy away from expressing his desire for a long-term deal with the team, which they did not offer him before slapping a franchise tag on him—something he wasn’t pleased about.
After an impressive showing in 2022, both Barkley and the Giants had a setback this past season, finishing with a dismal 6-11 record, making them one of the worst in the league.
With a high draft pick in their hands, New York might be headed into a new phase with a brand new quarterback, many experts predict. Rumours suggest a link-up with LSU star and Heisman winner Jayden Daniels.
This comes despite Daniel Jones being signed in the last off-season to a four-year contract worth £160 million. He struggled big time in 2023, often being outperformed by rookie Tommy DeVito after his injury
