According to a report by NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport, the NY Giants did not franchise tag Saquon Barkley, and he’s set to become a free agent. He will join a long list of talented free-agent running backs, including Josh Jacobs, Derrick Henry, and Tony Pollard. Barkley had signed a one-year contract worth $10.5 million last year.
The Giants had some ups, but often there were more downs. Their lack of competitiveness has them encouraged to rebuild and retool. A running back making over $20 million on the roster makes that challenging.
At 27, Barkley still has the opportunity to get a solid payday. While the running back market has diminished in value for traditional rushers, it has evolved, and Barkley has been within this change to the position. The value that owners place on it has changed drastically in the last ten years.
The Penn State graduate has the potential to join some exciting young teams that could potentially make a run at a Super Bowl or a reliable coach and quarterback that are willing to implement his strengths within the system to win. The Houston Texans could be an appealing destination, as they maintain $70 million in salary cap money. You’ll have dark horses like the Philadelphia Eagles. However, they have more important holes to fill with their $45 million in cap space available.
The turnover at running back is at an all-time high. You begin to wonder how long the position will stay at true value.
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