There were rumors of a potential offseason trade involving New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley, but nothing ever materialized. Instead, the Giants hung onto the 2018 Offensive Rookie of the Year and he will now play a prominent role offensively.
That could be a good or bad thing depending on which Barkley shows up.
Barkley displayed game-breaking talent as a rookie, but things have fallen off since then. He’s struggled to stay healthy, enduring serious ankle injuries and a torn ACL, while looking mighty tentative when he is on the field.
But Barkley is tired of hearing about all of that. He isn’t interest in the “BS” anymore and intends to make 2022 one of his best.
“I’m just tired of whatever is written about me, the BS that’s said about me or this team,” Barkley told reporters in April. “I want to go out there and prove to this organization that the player they drafted is still there, I can still do special things with the ball in my hands, and I can help this team.
“One thing I’ve learned is the story that’s going to be told is people are going to shape it the way they want it to be told. I feel like there’s a lot of things that are left out.”
The good news? Barkley appears both healthy and explosive early on in OTAs. And while we’ve only seem glimpses, there is no denying that he looks like the player of old.
2️⃣6️⃣ pic.twitter.com/rALgV44DNP
— New York Giants (@Giants) May 17, 2022
Barkley, who is entering the final year of his rookie contract, will be a major factor in the Giants’ potential success (or failure) this season. He’ll serve as an offensive focal point and backfield outlet for quarterback Daniel Jones.
And if he’s able to stay healthy, it’s a solid bet Barkley rekindles some of his early career success behind a vastly improved offensive line.
