Barkley, who is now 27 years old, has been a prominent figure for the Giants since they drafted him with the second overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft. In the 2023 season, he played under the non-exclusive franchise tag, putting up solid numbers with 962 rushing yards and six touchdowns in 14 games.
With this decision, Barkley will have the opportunity to explore free agency and potentially join a new team for the upcoming season. It marks the end of an era for Barkley with the Giants, but it also opens up new possibilities for his future in the NFL.
The decision not to exercise the fifth-year option on Saquon Barkley’s contract doesn’t necessarily mean that he won’t return to the Giants on a new contract in the future.
Barkley has had an impressive start to his NFL career, accumulating 5,211 rushing yards and 35 rushing touchdowns in his first six seasons, which ranks him highly in franchise history. He received accolades such as the AP’s Offensive Rookie of the Year award and made the Pro Bowl in 2018, with another Pro Bowl appearance in 2022.
With Barkley exploring his options in the running back market, the Giants will likely turn their attention to planning for the future, especially with uncertainty surrounding quarterback Daniel Jones’s future in New York. This could involve considering their options at the running back position and potentially negotiating a new contract with Barkley down the line.
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