The New York Giants have decided not to place the franchise tag on Pro Bowl running back Saquon Barkley, allowing him to test the free-agent market. Barkley, who rushed for 962 yards and six touchdowns last season, played under a one-year contract after trying to negotiate a long-term deal with the Giants. The running back has expressed his openness to getting a fair and sensible deal, either with the Giants or another team.
If Barkley does not return to the Giants, the team’s running back room will need significant investment as he accounted for a majority of the offensive snaps last season. The Giants currently have limited options in the running back position, with veterans like Matt Breida also slated for free agency. The team may consider drafting a young back or bringing in a veteran during free agency to strengthen their backfield.
Despite Barkley’s impressive career statistics, his advanced metrics do not rank as high compared to other free-agent running backs. It remains to be seen whether the Giants will make a move to retain Barkley or pursue other options to bolster their running back depth. With Barkley potentially exploring free agency, the Giants will need to make strategic decisions to ensure a strong backfield heading into the upcoming season.
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