Saquon Barkley is determined to stay with the New York Giants, at least until the NFL trade deadline. Despite the team’s struggles, Barkley has expressed his desire not to be traded, emphasizing, “Everyone knows I don’t want to be traded.”
The Giants, with a 1-5 record, recently lost a close game to the Buffalo Bills. Barkley, playing this season on the franchise tag due to the lack of a long-term agreement with the team, is not under contract beyond this season.
Earlier in the year, Barkley missed three games due to a high-ankle sprain he sustained during the final drive of the team’s only win so far this season. In the three games he has played, he has recorded 53 carries for 207 yards and a touchdown while catching 13 of 16 passes for 46 yards and an additional score.
The Giants have upcoming games against the Commanders and Jets before the trade deadline. Despite potential victories in those games, it’s unlikely they will make a significant impact on the playoff race due to the team’s weaknesses and Barkley’s contractual situation. Despite Barkley’s preference to remain with the Giants, it would make sense for the team to explore potential trades.
However, the running back market has changed in recent years, making it uncertain if there will be favorable trade offers for the Giants. In the event of no suitable trades, Barkley may become a free agent in the offseason or be franchise-tagged again. Barkley will turn 27 in February, which could be his last opportunity to secure a substantial contract, given the typical career trajectory of running backs. While it has been some time since he was at the peak of his performance, Barkley demonstrated in 2022 that he still possesses the ability to be an effective running back, especially in the right circumstances.
