Giants RB Saquon Barkley – ‘I don’t want to get traded’،
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – Running back Saquon Barkley has made his intentions very clear as the NFL trade deadline approaches in less than two weeks: He wants to stay with the New York Giants.
The trade deadline is 4 p.m. ET on October 31.
“Sitting here, everyone knows how I feel. Everyone knows I don’t want to be traded,” Barkley said. “I don’t think any sane person would want to be traded anywhere. It’s not an easy thing to do. You have to move. I have a family. I would love to be here.
“But like I said, it’s not in my control. My goal is to be the leader I can be for this team and get things on the right track.”
Barkley and the Giants (1-5) host the Washington Commanders on Sunday.
This will be Barkley’s second game back after missing three games with a serious ankle sprain. He totaled 93 yards on 24 carries in Sunday night’s 14-9 loss to the Buffalo Bills.
The Giants’ No. 2 pick in the 2018 NFL Draft has 207 rushing yards and two total touchdowns so far this season.
The argument can be made for the struggling Giants to start moving players. This season, so far, has been a complete disaster, a surprise on the heels of last season’s success when New York reached the playoffs and won a playoff game in its first year under general manager Joe Schoen and coach Brian Daboll.
Barkley remained healthy throughout the 2022 season and finished with a career-high 1,307 rushing yards. But he failed to reach agreement on a long-term deal with the Giants and instead opted for an adjusted franchise tag on the first day of training camp that included an additional $1 million available in incentives.
The veteran running back did not participate in the team’s offseason workout program this spring as they attempted to resolve the contract situation.
Barkley is expected to become a free agent again at the end of this season. The Giants still have the option to use the franchise tag for a second straight year.
This uncertainty lends credence to the idea that moving Barkley on schedule might be best for the player and the organization. Not that it’s something Barkley considered.
“It never crossed my mind,” he said. “Obviously, I’ve been public about how I feel about this organization and where I want to be. But like I said, knowing the company and seeing that aspect, there’s a lot I can’t not control.”
Barkley insists a trade isn’t something he’s even discussed with his personal team. He doesn’t think it’s worth it.
In the meantime, he has other things that hold his attention.
“It doesn’t really block. I can’t control it. It’s not like I can make decisions or have any say in it,” Barkley said. “The only thing I can say is how I show up to work and how I go out there and compete. Those are the things I can control.”
