Giants icon discusses Saquon Barkley’s possible departure.Tiki Barber, a former running back and NFL analyst for the New York Giants, thinks Joe Schoen, the general manager of the team, should be concerned about more than just the team’s record when it comes to Saquon Barkley’s future.
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The WFAN “Evan and Tiki” program on Tuesday featured this explanation from Barber, “Saquon Barkley is not fully necessary, but my emotion to Saquon is something that I think a lot of Giants fans feel and it’s, I love this kid,” as shared by Ryan Chichester of Audacy. “I loved him when he came in.”
Before the March 5 deadline for such decisions, it is widely assumed that Schoen will not utilize the franchise tag to retain Barkley’s rights, in part because doing so might cost the Giants approximately $12.1 million in 2024. Although it doesn’t guarantee that Barkley would leave the Giants, Schoen and other team members might believe the 27-year-old, who has a lengthy history of injuries, is already declining.
Given Barkley’s appeal to fans who don’t give a damn about salary caps and just want to see their favorite players play for their home team as long as possible, some wondered if team co-owner John Mara could become involved when Barkley and the Giants were in the midst of a contract standoff last spring. Barber cited Barkley’s position as the team’s captain and the “face of the franchise” as reasons why Big Blue would want to reconsider allowing the six-year NFL veteran to test the free market, according to Chichester.
Barber continued, describing Barkley as “the perfect example of a star player that you would want on this team.” Because he’s an example of a favorite player on the squad who ends up playing for the Giants or whatever team it is, you want to emotionally cling to that individual.He should be that guy, in my opinion.”
Barkley has stated on numerous occasions that he wants “to be a Giant for life,” and it’s obvious that some players in the locker room believe he should have been awarded a multi-year contract prior to quarterback Daniel Jones agreeing to a four-year agreement in March. Schoen, Mara, and other Giants personnel will have to decide if the organization would benefit more from saving a particular sum of money.
