After six productive seasons, it appears that running back Saquon Barkley’s time with the New York Giants is coming to a close.
According to a report from Ian Rapoport of NFL Network on Tuesday morning, the Giants have decided not to place the franchise tag on Barkley for the 2024 season, making him set to become a free agent.
Barkley, 27, has been with the Giants since they selected him with the second overall pick in the 2018 draft. In 2023, he played under the non-exclusive franchise tag, rushing for 962 yards and six touchdowns in 14 games.
However, this decision doesn’t rule out the possibility of Barkley returning to the Giants on a new contract.
Throughout his first six seasons, Barkley amassed 5,211 rushing yards and 35 rushing touchdowns, ranking fourth and sixth in franchise history, respectively. He earned the AP’s Offensive Rookie of the Year award and made the Pro Bowl in 2018, with a repeat Pro Bowl appearance in 2022.
As Barkley explores his options in a competitive running back market, the Giants will shift their focus to the future, with quarterback Daniel Jones’s future in New York appearing uncertain.
