NFL rumors: Saquon Barkley isn’t in charge of his Giants’ future

Saquon Barkley wants to return to the New York Giants next season, but the decision doesn’t lie in the star running back’s hands. 

The Giants made excellent progress during Brian Daboll’s first season as head coach. Part of his initial success was a result of coaxing a big season out of running back Saquon Barkley. The star running back wants to return to the fold next season but his upcoming free agency represents a tough choice for New York’s front office.

In the aftermath of his team’s ugly postseason loss to the Eagles, it was clear that Barkley is in no mood to leave the Big Apple. He told reporters that he “can’t envision” the loss being his last appearance in a Giants uniform. It’s nice that Barkley wants to return to the team that drafted him, but there’s no guarantee that GM Joe Schoen is ready to offer him the sort of new contract he’s expecting as the former No. 2 overall pick.

Saquon Barkley doesn’t control his Giants future

Barkley was a significant weapon for the Giants’ offense this season but he’s struggled with injuries throughout his professional career. That’s one reason why New York might hesitate to make a significant financial commitment to him in the offseason. The safer choice would be to use the franchise tag to delay the team’s need to commit to Barkley for a long period of time for at least one more season.

The problem with that strategy is that New York may need to use their franchise tag to keep quarterback Daniel Jones in the fold. The organization declined his fifth-year option before the season due to uncertainty about how he’d perform in Daboll’s offense. Jones’ solid campaign now has him in line for a big payday as the Giants’ quarterback of the present and future.

Even if New York can get a deal with Jones done without the franchise tag, it might take up too much salary cap space to pay Barkley the sort of money he feels he deserves. It’s a dangerous balancing act for Schoen’s front office. The Giants have built up goodwill with their fans in Daboll’s first season in charge. Letting Barkley walk might eat away some of that positivity if next season doesn’t go according to plan on the field.

Of course, Schoen’s responsibility is to plot a financial course that can turn the Giants into consistent Super Bowl contenders. Committing big money to a running back isn’t generally the best way to achieve that goal in the modern NFL. That’s why Barkley may be playing his football elsewhere next season even though he’d like to remain a Giant.