New York Giants star operating again Saquon Barkley understands this Sunday’s season finale in opposition to the Philadelphia Eagles will be the final time he runs onto the MetLife Stadium turf representing the crew that drafted him again in 2018.
“[Does] a recent begin cross my thoughts? I assume anyone, while you have a look at how the season went, I really feel like all people would desire a recent begin some place else, only a clear slate,” Barkley informed reporters on Wednesday, per Dan Martin of the New York Put up. “However that’s how I have a look at it. If I did hit the open market, hey, that’s God’s plan to go to a different crew and proceed to construct a legacy for myself.”
Barkley and the Giants failed to return to phrases on a long-term contract each earlier than and after his rights for 2023 had been retained through the franchise tag. He finally signed an adjusted one-year tag to report back to coaching camp on time, and common supervisor Joe Schoen has given no indication he is keen to overspend to maintain the fan-favorite and crew captain with the membership previous Week 18.
“I’ve talked about earlier than, I need to be a Giant for life,” Barkley defined. “That was a aim of mine once I acquired drafted. I wished to depart a legacy right here. It’s out of my management. I’ve no say. It’s as much as these guys upstairs, Joe and people guys. They’ve acquired to do what’s greatest for the crew, no matter they really feel like is greatest for the crew. They’ll decide. Me saying, ‘I need to be a Big for all times’ like I did final 12 months, it doesn’t assist or it doesn’t damage, so I’ll depart it to these guys.”
Barkley turns 27 years outdated in February, has a prolonged injury history and may very well be permitted to check the open market if Schoen and firm resolve to not spend closely on what’s change into a devalued place. Based on Jordan Raanan of ESPN, utilizing a second franchise tag on Barkley would price the Giants roughly $12.1M.
“I’m nonetheless as open as I used to be earlier than,” Barkley stated about placing pen to paper on a cope with the Giants earlier than free company. “I simply need one thing that’s honest [and] that is sensible. I feel I used to be open and trustworthy about that final 12 months. I nonetheless stick by that. However I get it. It’s a enterprise. Hopefully, if it’s not right here, it’s another place.”
The 5-11 Giants lack expertise and depth all through the roster and will press a figurative reset button by drafting an eventual alternative for quarterback Daniel Jones this spring. Barkley most likely must look elsewhere if he desires to money in and play for a contender later this 12 months.
