“Giants Clearly Value Saquon Barkley”: NFL Insider Predicts RB’s Stay in New York Amidst Free Agency Conundrum

NFL teams are now in the position once again to decide their players’ future. As the 2023 season is over, all the teams will likely make significant and noticeable changes in their roster. A similar case is with the New York Giants, whose running back Saquon Barkley is currently in the news.

After being franchise-tagged by the Giants, Barkley will hit free agency for the first time. Per reports, it’s unlikely for him to be tagged again because of the significant rise in the previous year’s salary (120% raise in the $10.091 cap number). Despite this, he may still return to the Giants. And an NFL insider revealed why he would return this year with the franchise.

Saquon Barkley’s predictions are favorable?

In a recent episode of The Rich Eisen Show, NFL insider Tom Pelissero talked about likely cap casualties and Saquon Barkley’s future with the Giants. Pelissero believes there is a high chance that the franchise will retain Barkley again due to some reasons he explained further. The reporter said, “They took an initial run, back at the bye-week in 2022, with getting a deal done with Saquon. They offered him a significant deal prior to the franchise tag deadline last March, and their plan based on their actions was to get the deal done with Saquon somewhere in that 12-13 million per year range.”

Recalling the incident, Pelissero highlighted that, surprisingly, Barkley declined the deal, expressing his belief that he deserves a deal comparable to Christian McCaffrey’s. The Giants then adjusted their plans, tagging Barkley and signing Daniel Jones. Per Pelissero, despite a lower offer in July, the team still values Barkley, and there might be efforts to secure a deal. He said, “Now they had him for $10.1 million and they had him a bargain on the tag, all of which is to say the Giants clearly value Saquon Barkley. I find it hard to believe that he’s going to play this year on the tag. I do believe that there will be an effort made on the Giants’ part to see if they can get a deal done with Saquon.“

The reporter also noted that considering the market dynamics, there is a possibility of exploring his value closer to free agency. He highlighted that Barkley’s desire to remain a Giant and his team’s interest in retaining him are evident, but the negotiation outcomes remain uncertain, and Pelissero believes “the Giants will try to get a deal done and that will actually happen prior to March 5th or March 11th or March 13th.“

Read more: Saquon Barkley Girlfriend: Who Is Anna Congdon, the Instagram Influencer Supporting Giants RB’s Efforts Since College?

However, if Barkley doesn’t end up joining the team, there are five other destinations that would be thrilled to have him.

Which other teams can be available for Saquon Barkley?

After signing a one-year franchise tag last year, Saquon Barkley’s reunion with the Giants, without a long-term contract seems unlikely for the 27-year-old running back. Despite facing questions about recent performances, especially with a lower average and missed games in the late season due to injury, Barkley had a standout year in 2022 (295 carries for 1,312 yards and 10 TDs in 16 games). Teams eyeing Barkley are curious if he can replicate his 2022 success. Potential destinations include the Los Angeles Chargers, where the coaches like Jim Harbaugh and Greg Roman prioritize the running game.

The Houston Texans, fresh from a playoff appearance, are looking to boost their running game, and Barkley could be the missing piece. The Ravens, known for their running game but lacking an elite running back, might benefit from having Barkley, although it could require cap maneuvering. Besides them, joining Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase, and Tee Higgins, the Bengals could create a potent offensive lineup. Next, the Philadelphia Eagles, with a history of changing starting running backs, might find Barkley intriguing.

All in all, Barkley’s decision will depend on factors like playoff potential, team needs, and financial considerations.