Jim Harbaugh’s Top Priority Saquon Barkley Breaks Silence on Leaving Giants for Chargers Amid Contract Uncertainty

Jim Harbaugh is assembling the football Avengers at LA Chargers. After bringing some of the best coaches across the pro league and college football at the Chargers, he can swivel his focus back to the players. One name that has been linked with the Chargers is New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley.

The running back position is one position in the Chargers roster that needs some quality. Harbaugh, being the recruiting mastermind of 2024, already has his eyes set on Barkley, who is set to become a free agent this offseason. It was reported that Barkley could be top of Harbaugh’s wishlist. Moreover, Saquon Barkley’s recent interview would surely bring a smile to Harbaugh’s face.

Saquon Barkley definitely not against playing for Jim Harbaugh

Barkley’s anticipation for a lucrative contract since the last offseason might just finally come to an end if Harbaugh decides to secure him for the running back position. So, when asked about his thoughts on playing for Harbaugh by the host of the Up and Adams show, Barkley praised Jim Harbaugh and said, “I got nothing but respect for coach Harbaugh. Obviously, the success he had in the NFL before playing against him in college. But hey, if the opportunity was able to present itself, I definitely wouldn’t be against it.”

He also had some words of praise for the QB Justin Herbert. Barkley added, “I’m a big fan of Justin Herbert too. I think he’s one of the best quarterbacks in NFL.” Barkley was set to be a free agent last year, but the Giants placed him on the franchise tag. The Bronx, New York native will enter his seventh season in the NFL next year and is looking for a multi-year contract.

With free agency set to begin in nearly a month, there have been rumors of the LA Chargers and Jim Harbaugh being interested in the running back. Saquon Barkley is coming off of a decent season in 2023 while failing to reach 1,000 rushing yards and missing three games. He also didn’t rush for four yards a carry, as he had a 3.9 average. He still managed to score 10 total touchdowns in his sixth season.

Former quarterback Ryan Leaf recently appeared on Good Morning Football and also mentioned, “I do think that Saquon Barkley is going to be at the top of his list, in terms of what he wants to do with the running back position.”

Well, speaking in terms of a team, Barkley seems the perfect fit, but would the Chargers be able to afford him, given their open hand in hiring new coaches and all the expenses that came with it? So far Chargers have signed offensive coordinator Greg Roman and defensive coordinator Jesse Minter following the acquisition of Jim Harbaugh as HC.

Will Harbaugh get his man?

Per the NY Post, Barkley is ‘likely to demand a sizable contract and the Chargers don’t have money to spend’. Well, the squad of Justin Herbert and Co. is $45 million in the red in terms of cap space per the same report.

READ ALSO: Michigan in Shambles as Jim Harbaugh’s Exit to Chargers Exposes Chaotic Side of Wolverines’ Program: Reports

The buyouts and hiring of a whole new staff are also rumored to have created a dent in Spanos’s pocket. All of this has a strong influence on Jim Harbaugh’s decision of whether to hire Barkley.

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