With the trade deadline fast approaching, one thing is clear: Giants RB Saquon Barkley does not want to be traded out of New York.
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Saquon Barkley Wants To Remain With Giants
The Pro Bowl running back told reporters Thursday that he would like to stay in New York, standing firm on the way he has felt about the franchise for some time.
“Obviously, I’ve been public and vocal about how I feel about this organization and where I want to be,” Barkley said. “But like I said, knowing the business and seeing that side of it, there are a lot of things that I can’t control. Sitting here, everyone knows how I feel. Everyone knows I don’t want to get traded.”
MORE: New York Giants Depth Chart
With the NFL deadline less than two weeks away, the struggling 1-5 Giants have decisions to make. Barkley agreed to a one-year deal worth up to $11 million last summer, and with no long-term deal in place, it’s definitely possible that a trade may be in his future.
“I don’t think anybody in their right mind would want to get traded anywhere,” Barkley said. “It’s not an easy thing to do. You’ve got to move; I have a family. I would love to be here, but like I said, it’s not in my control. My focus is to be the leader I can be for this team to try to get this thing on the right track.”
Missing three games due to an ankle sprain, Barkley has put up 207 rushing yards on 53 attempts, averaging 3.9 yards per rush so far this season. It wouldn’t be surprising to see a team in need of running back depth make a move for Barkley.
In fact, ESPN analyst Ryan Clark suggests the Bills trade for Barkley, as he could “totally change the dynamic of that offense.”
“Saquon Barkley is a difference-maker — coming off the ankle injury, 93 yards against (the Bills), two huge plays in the run game back to back — you add him with a guy like Josh Allen and a team that seems so focused on getting the football to Stefon Diggs and no one else, you totally change the dynamic of that offense,” Clark said. “You bring a little bit of the explosivity that you can see from Josh Allen in the pass game to the run game.”
Given the status of Barkley’s contract and the rough start the Giants have gotten off to this season, exploring a trade could be beneficial to the team, whether or not it’s what Barkley prefers.
