One of the biggest names being talked about as the New York Giants try to work themselves out of salary cap hell while also building for the future is star running back Saquon Barkley.
Barkley has been rumored in trade scenarios since a few weeks into last season.
With the offseason is now upon us, the rumors about Barkley have continued. Whether it was the injuries or the possibility that Barkley has indeed lost a step, the former second overall pick left plenty to be desired last season.
Opinions on trading Barkley have been coming in left and right in the media and from his former teammates. Just last week, Barkley was listed as someone who the Giants should consider trading.
But as the trade rumors surrounding Barkley continue to swirl, NFL Network insider Ian Rappaport is here to pour some cold water on things.
From NFL Now: The #Giants are open to considering all trades, though a deal for RB Saquon Barkley appears unlikely. pic.twitter.com/RlkRo4R4Gy
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 1, 2022
“As far as Saquon Barkley, this is the right thing for Joe Schoen. He is the new general manager. He comes from a place in Buffalo where they’re always open to a deal. They’ve done some big trades before,” Rapoport said.
“You mention trading Saquon Barkley and them being open to it. To me, it doesn’t seem realistic. He did not have a great year last year, he was banged up. He’s got a fully guaranteed salary that someone would have to pick up. If you’re the Giants, if you’re going to pay even a little bit of the salary, you might as well see if that player could be very good for you because there is a reason the organization drafted him.
“I don’t see Saquon Barkley being traded. To me, the most likely scenario is him being with the Giants, playing it out and having a decision at the end of next year.”
Giants general manager Joe Schoen made it clear that nobody is off the table in the trade market other than 2021 first-round pick Kadarius Toney. And at this point, it’s hard to determine what Barkley’s trade value would be given his recent injuries and disappointing season last year — some believe it would be mid-round level.
Barkley has been impressed with newly hired head coach Brian Daboll but given the lack of commitment to the run from Buffalo the last few years, it’s hard to gauge where Saquon fits into the future plans for Big Blue. But that seems like something everyone will have to figure out given that Barkley is likely to stay put in East Rutherford.
