The return of New York Giants Saquon Barkley was less than a success last season. The Giants offense did not have an identity. The results were a painful 4-13 record. This year brings a new coach, a new offense that could resurrect Barkley’s career.
No question, the Giants offense was as bad as advertised in 2021. The rushing attack was non-existent all season long. The passing game was comical as the Giants struggled to complete a pass after Daniel Jones was sidelined for the season following a Week 12 neck injury. The unit finished 31st in total points scored (258) by averaging 15.2 points per game.
Barkley is coming off a very disappointing season (593 rushing yards, 3.7 yards per carry, and two rushing touchdowns). The Giants biggest fear came true as he struggled coming back from an ACL tear. The organization kept Barkley in bubble wrap all preseason and limited his carries at the start of the regular season. However, he did change the narrative by returning to form late in the season. But it was too little, too late to change people’s opinions.
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New York Giants Are Trying to Resurrect Saquon Barkley’s Career
But there were plenty of reasons for the lack of production. It usually begins and ends with the offensive line. The Giants cannot allow a continuation of poor play from this unit in 2022.
The team’s starting offensive line was beset with injuries (Nick Gates: broken leg, Ben Bredeson: hand, Andrew Thomas: ankle, and Matt Peart: ACL tear). The line depth was not there to provide the force needed to extend a drive by moving the chains.
New Giants general manager Joe Schoen went work on rebuilding the offensive line shortly after his hire. He has made good solid free agent moves (Indianapolis Colts Mark Glowinski, Buffalo Bills Jon Feliciano and Jamil Douglas), despite having serious salary cap restrictions. These additions should provide a pulse and open some holes for the running game.
Giants Expect a Saquon Barkley Career Resurrection in 2022
All the talk following the hire of Schoen and Brian Daboll was the Giants trading Barkley to a team lacking a lead back in their offense. The Baltimore Ravens was mentioned as a possible trading partner because of the uncertainty in their backfield. But the return was not beneficial to the Giants rebuild. So. Barkley stays put.
Despite all of the outside noise, the Giants still have faith in him and believe he will have a significant role in the offense next season. Barkley doesn’t fit the mold of someone who bemoans their current predicament. His work ethic is too good as he strives to regain the skills that garnered him over 1,400 yards of total offense in his rookie season. And the Giants offense should be the benefactors of Barkley’s resurrection.
Potentially, he could meet the production level that Daboll has envisioned since becoming Giants head coach. His offense is constructed to put Barkley in situations where he could score from anywhere on the field. If Barkley replicates his prior success, the Giants have a major decision ahead.
The powers that run the franchise must decide to sign Barkley to a long-term, big-money deal or let him walk. But first, they must determine if he is past his prime as an NFL running back.
Putting aside the financial perspective, the Giants are unsure which Saquon Barkley will show up in training camp this summer. But a lot can change from now until the end of the 2022 season.
If he plays his cards right, Barkley comes up with a couple of game-changing runs in the final season of his rookie deal. It could make free agency very rewarding for him next off-season.
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