Sakmann News, Entertainment and Sports
SNES Blog Network
Saquon Barkley, the New York Giants running back, faces uncertainty as the team opts not to place a franchise tag on him, making him a free agent for the 2024 NFL season. With potential landing spots including the Houston Texans, Los Angeles Chargers, and his current team, the Giants, Barkley’s next move remains uncertain. Oddsmakers favor the Texans as his potential destination.
Running back Saquon Barkley has faced a number of challenges in his six seasons with the New York Giants: from inadequate play along the offensive line and at many times, the quarterback position, to injuries that have sidelined the star running back from time-to-time. But when the former Penn State running back and second overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft is on the field, Barkley is an explosive player who can change the outcome of games.
With the Giants at a bit of a crossroads (again), and many decisions looming regarding the future of the roster, the team has opted not to place a franchise tag on Barkley, allowing him to become a free agent.
Of course, Barkley could still don a blue #26 New York Giants jersey during the 2024-25 NFL season, but by hitting the open market, Barkley opens up the potential for a bidding war. At 27 years old with six years of NFL service behind him, this is Barkley’s chance to make what will likely be the biggest signing left in his NFL career. At this point, there’s no reason to think Barkley will give the Giants a hometown-discount, team-friendly deal: Barkley is at a crossroads himself, the biggest one of his career. Leaving money or the potential to compete for Super Bowls on the table isn’t (or, shouldn’t) be an option at this point for Barkley in his career.
Again, the Giants still could work out a long-term deal with Barkley, but such a deal would have to compensate Barkley fairly for his services.
With Barkley set to have the ability to sign with all 32 teams in less than two weeks, oddsmakers are already projecting where the two-time Pro Bowl running back and 2018 Offensive Rookie of the Year will land. At a firm -200, the Houston Texans lead the pack. The Texans have the fourth-most cap space in the league with roughly $70 million to spend, as well as an electrifying young quarterback as well as 2023 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year winner C.J. Stroud, who is coming off an AFC South title and a playoff win in his rookie season.
Pairing Stroud with Barkley would result in an even more dynamic offense in Houston. And at -200, oddsmakers are implying a 66.67%, or two-thirds, chance that Barkley will suit up for the Texans in 2024.
After the Texans, the Los Angeles Chargers appear as the next-most likely landing spot at +285, a 26% probability. The Chargers aren’t as cap-fortunate as the Texans, in fact, Los Angeles is on the other end of the spectrum as the fourth-most cap-strapped team (-$25.1 million.) Offense isn’t exactly where the Chargers have been falling short the past few seasons, but with Los Angeles failing to franchise tag Austin Ekeler, there could be a hole in the depth chart at RB1 next season. Pairing Justin Herbert and Saquon Barkley is a formula for some awesome offense, much like the Houston situation.
The Giants are the third-most likely team at +500, with implied odds of just 17%. Coming back to the Giants seems like it would be a surprise at this point. The franchise has had its moments, including a playoff appearance last season, but seems to be trending sideways if not downwards in the near future. New York would have to make Barkley an offer he can’t refuse to bring him back.
New York could even see one of their fan favorite players slip away to a division rival: the Dallas Cowboys, with +650 (13.3%) odds. Dallas is in the same position as New York and Los Angeles: they did not franchise tag Tony Pollard. While a 1-2 punch of Barkley and Pollard (emulating Elliot and Pollard a few seasons ago) would be salivating, but both players demand RB1 money now. I’m not sure if Barkley would be the Cowboys top option or fallback plan, but either way, he would be a great piece in Dak Prescott’s extremely efficient offense.
I absolutely love the next two landing spots, but they’re longer shots. The Chicago Bears (+900, 10%) absolutely need an offensive injunction on the roster to support Justin Fields. Barkley would be a great building block in creating a contender in the next season or two, and have the eighth-most cap space in the league at $57.6 million. Likewise, the Baltimore Ravens (+1200, 8%) have $58.6 million to spend, and the thought of putting Barkley in reigning 2023 NFL MVP Lamar Jackson’s offense is salivating.
I would call those six landing spots realistic, with the remaining teams on the list being pipe dreams. The Philadelphia Eagles (+3000, 3%) just might re-invent the game of football if they added Barkley to a rushing offense that already has Jalen Hurts and D’Andre Swift. The Minnesota Vikings (+3500, 3%) could always benefit from another offensive weapon, but aren’t actually devoid of them right now. Jordan Love’s Green Bay Packers (+5000, 2%) would certainly take a step up after their surprising playoff results last season, but the team hasn’t historically been a free agent hotspot.
UPDATE 3/11/24: The Philadelphia Eagles are heating up as a potential destination for Barkley, with incumbent running back D’Andre Swift skipping town for the Chicago Bears.
I’m not even sure what criteria landed the Cincinnati Bengals (+5000, 2%) on this list besides their $50.3 million in cap space (five teams have more but weren’t listed), the thought is pretty crazy. While many of these teams are playoff-caliber, the Cincinnati Bengals are Super Bowl-caliber, given Joe Burrow comes back healthy.
All odds per DraftKings Sportsbook the morning of March 5, 2024, when the news broke that the Giants would not tag Barkley.
Where do you think Saquon Barkley will play in 2024-25? Which odds offer the best value (i.e. a longshot you think is actually realistic)? To join the discussion, be sure to connect with Sak Sports Blog on Twitter or on Facebook!
Header Photo Credit: AP Photo/Abbie Parr
Be sure to follow Sak Sports Blog on Twitter or on Facebook for more NBA and NFL updates!
Sakmann News, Entertainment and Sports 