In recent years, the New York Giants boasted one of the most talented running backs in the game. Saquon Barkley has been a game-changer when he’s been healthy, but that has been the primary issue. Running backs typically decline faster than other players, and if Barkley is seeking a lucrative contract, it may not be in the best interest of the Giants to meet his demands. According to The Athletic’s Dan Duggan, the Giants should simply let him depart if he receives a significant offer from another team instead of attempting to match it.
Duggan suggests that if Barkley receives a strong offer on the market, the Giants should graciously bid him farewell and express gratitude for his exceptional service over the past six years. They should then consider signing a cost-effective veteran like Zack Moss in a highly competitive free-agent market and select a rookie running back on the third day of the draft. Duggan believes that the Giants could pivot to a cheaper veteran option and replace Barkley with a rookie, given the abundance of talent at the running back position in this year’s draft class.
Barkley has repeatedly expressed his desire to remain a Giant for the entirety of his career. However, the team’s handling of his free agency last season had a negative impact on him and demonstrated the harsh realities of the business side of the sport. It remains to be seen if another team will be interested in signing Barkley to a long-term and lucrative contract, considering his age and history of multiple injuries throughout his career. Some speculate that his best option would be to play under the franchise tag in New York, assuming the Giants are even willing to offer him that opportunity. Regardless, it appears increasingly likely that Barkley, the former Penn State star, will be donning a different uniform next season.
According to the Source thecoldwire.com