Saquon Barkley's 'mutual' interest with NFC team could come back to bite Giants
Saquon Barkley could shock New York Giants fans this offseason by signing with their NFC rivals, the Philadelphia Eagles. Last season, despite being unhappy about being franchise tagged by the Giants, Barkley still showed up to training camp and proved his worth in a struggling offense.
He managed 962 yards and six touchdowns from 247 carries across 14 games, even though he was playing behind a poor offensive line.
Barkley, who was picked second overall in the 2018 NFL Draft, led the NFL in scrimmage yards as a rookie. He's still performing well; over the past two seasons, he's racked up 2,892 yards and scored 20 touchdowns.
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However, the Giants decided not to franchise tag Barkley this time, which means he'll be a free agent for the first time in his career. There are rumours that he might sign with the Eagles, the Giants' fierce NFC East rivals, according to the New York Post. It's been said that there is "mutual interest."
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This move would make sense for Barkley, who is originally from Pennsylvania and played for Penn State in college. The 27-year-old would also benefit from playing behind the best offensive line he's ever had.
Barkley would also join a Super Bowl contender, which his skills deserve. But, he'll only be signed if the price is right. The Eagles don't usually spend big on running backs and already have some serviceable options in their backfield.
Saquon Barkley has been one of the faces of the New York Giants since his arrival in 2018 (Getty Images)That said, the Eagles' offence sometimes struggled in the back-half of the 2023 season, and general manager Howie Roseman often makes big decisions to keep his team in contention.
If Barkley's fit, he'd bring an exciting new element to Philadelphia. He'd join dynamic quarterback Jalen Hurts and star receivers A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith. Barkley's health is a big question, even though his talent is tempting. He's missed 24 games in his six-year career, including 14 after he hurt his ACL during the 2020 season.
Barkley might still return to the Giants, even though they're okay with him checking out his worth elsewhere. Last year, they had tough talks that ended with a difference of just under £1.5 million in guaranteed cash.
But it's likely Barkley will play for a new team in 2024. The Baltimore Ravens, Chicago Bears, Houston Texans, Las Vegas Raiders, Los Angeles Chargers, and New England Patriots are all expected to show interest.
The Eagles also need a running back, as D'Andre Swift is now a free agent after running for 1,049 yards with the team last season. Last offseason, Miles Sanders left for the Carolina Panthers so maybe getting their rivals' best offensive player is the move for the Eagles. So, Barkley might not have to stay with the Giants to stay in the NFC East.
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