Running back Saquon Barkley is one of the highest-profile free agents in this year’s cycle, and there have been plenty of rumors concerning his next destination already. Some of those rumors may be solidifying into something more concrete.
Jordan Raanan of ESPN.com spoke with more than a dozen managers, executives, coaches, scouts, and agents, and while there was of course some variation in their responses, most expected that Barkley would land a contract worth $10MM per year, with a three-year, $30MM pact a seemingly likely outcome.
Given the notoriously stagnant running back market, it is fair to wonder whether any team would be willing to cough up that kind of money to an RB with a concering injury history who is coming off a season in which he posted a 3.9 YPC rate. However, the consensus among Raanan’s sources was that Barkley is good enough to warrant an eight-figure-per-year deal, with one pro personnel director saying, “if he was in San Francisco, he would be Christian McCaffrey. He hasn’t had an offensive line, ever, in New York.”
So, while Pat Leonard of the New York Daily News reported that the Giants are among the teams that do not see value in authorizing a $10MM+ AAV for a running back, it seems there will be at least one other club willing to make that kind of commitment for a player with Barkley’s ability. Per Raanan, the Chargers, Ravens, and Bears are among the most serious suitors for Barkley’s services.
The Chargers are something of a curious fit here. After all, the cap-strapped outfit is allowing its own multi-threat RB, Austin Ekeler, test the market and is reportedly willing to entertain trades for some of its best players in order to alleviate its salary cap issues.
The Ravens are more of a logical suitor. Previous reports have suggested the team will prioritize a running back addition, and given the importance of the ground game to Baltimore’s offensive attack, a notable contract for an RB is more justifiable for the Ravens than it would be for many teams. That is especially true in light of the fact that Justice Hill and Keaton Mitchell — who suffered an ACL tear in Week 15 — are the only two backs currently under club control.
The Bears, meanwhile, are likely to trade quarterback Justin Fields and draft Caleb Williams with the No. 1 overall pick. Having a QB1 on a rookie contract affords a team luxuries that it might not otherwise enjoy, and a splurge for a running back who is also adept as a receiver and who can therefore take the pressure off a young signal-caller in multiple ways makes plenty of sense.
While recent reports hinting at a Barkley-Eagles marriage were intriguing because of Philadelphia’s intra-divisional rivalry with the Giants, Raanan says neither the Eagles nor the Cowboys, another NFC East foe, are likely to meet Barkley’s asking price. Both of those teams may have RB needs, but they both seem prepared to fill those needs via a different tier of the market. Dan Graziano of ESPN.com agrees that Dallas will unlikely get involved in the Barkley sweepstakes unless he is willing to settle for a $5MM-$6MM AAV, though a Tony Pollard re-up remains in play (subscription required).
A February report indicated that the Texans were Barkley’s preferred destination. With respect to Houston’s involvement, Raanan merely writes that the club is rumored to have interest.
Ravens Yes
Bears No
Chargers Maybe
Chargers no. They need to figure out the cap first and it isn’t pretty.
It’s cool to see saquon on so many teams radars. He’s been linked heavily to Texans and ravens and now chargers bears and maybe even Vikings. He deserves to win and a better QB
I think Derrick Henry is a better fit on the Ravens. Saquon would certainly suit the Cowboys. Until the cash, strapped chargers, get rid of all their wildly high-priced talents that has fallen short I think they should go buy a running back by committee.
I didn’t see your comment until after I posted the same thing. Baltimore has enough injury problems without adding Barkley
Cowboys are in cap hell and need to extend Dak, so no Barkley there.
Bears should be all over Saquon to help out Caleb Williams.
That and trading up to grab Nabers.
Nabers will be there at 9 though.
Assuming Chargere Giants Titans pass up on him. Which isn’t a given since all 3 need WR help. Many have him mocked at Cardinals Chargers or Giants in that 4-6 range
Assuming Chargere Giants Titans pass up on him.
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They all have other needs. Giants should probably grab Alt, but could easily go QB.
Giants invested tons of capital in the oline in Thomas the kid from Alabama and C from last year. There’s talent on the oline.
If 1 of Maye or Daniels falls, unlikely, maybe Giants take them but over drafting McCarthy isn’t smart either.
That leaves Bowers and Nabers which Giants don’t have many pass catching options currently on the roster.
Chargers are looking at completely overhauling their receiver core with Williams Allen Ekeler Everett potentially on their way out. They need a C more than a tackle but they’re not drafting a C at 5.
Titans offense is changing with Henry leaving and handing the reigns over to Levis. They could opt to go tackle they could opt to go WR
Odunze is also an option
Nabers will not be there at 9.
I don’t see the Chargers as a fit for Barkley. I’m convinced Harbaugh will just draft Blake Corum
He may have made an initial inquiry, but I t would be very unlike Poles to get into a bidding war over a RB with declining numbers and that injury history.
Henry makes more sense for Baltimore.
Bears should trade back and draft one with one of the extra picks. All the RB’s in FA have a million miles on them. Although with Hebert and Johnson the Bears would be able to withstand an injury if they signed one, They should spend the money elsewhere. They should even be able to get a decent one with one of their 2 4th round picks.
Bears should be all over Barkley! Rookie QB coming in & a lot of cap space. Enough of these mediocre RB’s! Without Fields they need ground help more than ever. Sign Saquon!!!
It won’t be an easy sales job for Poles because he’ll have to convince Saquon that the Bears have more talent than those Penn State teams Barkley once played on.
Saquon’s knee has as much stability as the Bears QB position, so what leg is he going to stand on?
I’m cool with the Bears going after one of the 6 star RBs who are free agents, but don’t overpay. Stay in the weeds and let the market show that teams won’t overpay. Then jump in on Wednesday or after and sign any one of them to a 3 yr deal for $6-7M per year. Let the market come to you.