On March 5th, it was announced that the New York Giants would not be using the franchise tag on their former second-overall pick, Saquon Barkley, allowing him to become an unrestricted free agent. Barkley, coming off a season in which he totaled 1,242 all-purpose yards and 10 touchdowns, will hit the open market, but where are the most likely Saquon Barkley free agency destinations?
In recent years, it has become increasingly difficult for running backs to sign deals that compensate them at the level they believe they are worth This NFL offseason, we are likely to gain substantial insight into the current state of the running back market due to the availability of big names. Josh Jacobs, Tony Pollard, Derrick Henry, Austin Ekeler and, of course, Saquon Barkley are all set to hit the free agency market.
These are the three most likely Saquon Barkley free agency destinations.
Saquon Barkley Free Agency Destinations
Houston Texans
The Houston Texans struck gold last offseason, landing rookie sensation CJ Stroud, who led the team into the playoffs in his first year under center. The most impressive part? He did this with a supporting cast that, quite frankly, was not as talented as many other teams in the league. Last year, the Texans ranked 29th in the league in yards per carry, at 3.71. No matter how good your quarterback is or projects to be, being that inefficient at running the football would be a tough task to overcome for a team with eventual championship aspirations.
With Stroud and pass-rusher Will Anderson still on rookie deals for the next four seasons, the Texans have the cap space to sign Saquon Barkley during NFL Free Agency. They currently project to have just over $70 million in cap space this offseason. Adding a back like Barkley would give the Texans’ offense a dynamic that they just didn’t have last year.
Los Angeles Chargers
The Los Angeles Chargers brought in new head coach Jim Harbaugh this offseason, which is one of the main reasons they are potentially a good fit for Barkley. Going back to his time with the 49ers and especially his recent tenure at Michigan, Harbaugh has consistently prioritized establishing the run game. Like the Texans, the Chargers struggled to run the football last year; ranking 27th in the league in yards per carry.
One hurdle the Chargers would have to clear to sign Saquon Barkley is making the necessary cuts to create cap space. Currently, they project to have the least amount of cap space in the league but will likely cut some underperforming veterans with large contracts. Additionally, they will need to address the potential departure of Austin Ekeler, who is also set to hit the free-agent market.
Chicago Bears
The Chicago Bears have the first pick in the 2024 NFL Draft and are almost certain to select USC quarterback Caleb Williams. One of the best ways to assist a rookie signal-caller early in his career is with a reliable running game. Despite being statistically one of the best rushing teams in the league over the past few seasons, the Bears’ success has primarily been attributed to Justin Fields rather than their running backs. While Roschon Johnson showed flashes during his rookie year and Khalil Hebert is a serviceable option, Barkley brings a different level of playmaking ability that could significantly boost this offense.
Assuming Williams is selected, the Bears will “reset the clock” on their quarterback contract which opens up room to load up your roster elsewhere. They currently project to have around $57 million in cap space and don’t have any more big free agents of their own that need to be re-signed, making a Saquon Barkley free agency signing possible.
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