New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley is one of the most fascinating players on the free agent market. The former second-overall pick is one of the more dangerous all-around backs in the league when healthy, but injuries have limited him to just 74 games during his six-year career, and the overall devaluation of the running back position will likely cap his earnings.
While there’s no way to definitively know what will happen to Saquon Barkley, ESPN’s Jordan Raanan recently published an article detailing the expected market for the free agent. According to the ESPN staff writer, the running back will probably get a three-year, $30 million deal, and as many as six teams are fighting for the rights to take Barkley away from the Giants.
Per the report, the Los Angeles Chargers, Baltimore Ravens, and Chicago Bears are the frontrunners for free agent Saquon Barkley. However, the Philadelphia Eagles, Dallas Cowboys, and Houston Texans are also interested in signing him, but they won’t give out $10 million per year for his services.
3 Frontrunners Emerge For Free Agent Saquon Barkley
The Frontrunners
The Baltimore Ravens need a running back, so it’s easy to see why they’d want to sign Saquon Barkley as a free agent. With Gus Edwards and J.K. Dobbins hitting unrestricted free agency, this is the perfect time for Baltimore to bring in a big-name running back. Barkley can be dangerous on his own, but putting him behind the Ravens offensive line and right next to Lamar Jackson could lead to historic results. The two big questions are whether the Ravens can afford him with all their impending free agents, and if they prefer him over Derrick Henry.
The Los Angeles Chargers are in a similar boat. Austin Ekeler will probably leave as a free agent, which opens the door for Saquon Barkley. Jim Harbaugh and Greg Roman want to build an elite run game, and they probably believe Barkley is the key to that vision. However, money will be an issue, as the Chargers are currently $20.59 million over the allotted salary cap.
The Chicago Bears, meanwhile, have the need and financial resources to sign Saquon Barkley as a free agent. With Caleb Williams coming to town, the team will probably try and ease him into the NFL with a strong run game. Seeing as the organization has more money than it knows what to do with, this signing makes all the sense in the world.
The Dark Horses
The Dallas Cowboys and Philadelphia Eagles know exactly what Saquon Barkley brings to the table, so it’s easy to see why they’re interested in the free agent. With both of their respective starters hitting the open market, they might want to upgrade the position. Of these two, Dallas seems like the more likely fit, as Jerry Jones has shown a willingness to sink high-level resources into the running back position. Howie Roseman, meanwhile, seems to know that it doesn’t take a superstar to succeed behind Philadelphia’s elite offensive line.
The Houston Texans, meanwhile, are in the perfect position to spend up on a luxury position like running back. C.J. Stroud is the future of the franchise, the young receivers are great, and any team would love to build a pass rush around Will Anderson. Devin Singletary did an adequate job last year, but Saquon Barkley would be a sizable improvement as a free agent.
Main Photo: Vincent Carchietta – USA Today Sports
