Giants and Saquon Barkley appear destined to go separate ways

Giants and Saquon Barkley appear destined to go separate ways

To the right, Sterling Shepard was sitting on a stool and talking about the end of his Giants career, relishing the chance this Sunday to run through the MetLife Stadium tunnel one last time.

To the left, Justin Pugh delayed a trip to the shower to consider if there is a third act for him with the Giants, the team that 11 years ago made him a first-round draft pick.

Shepard likely will never play another snap in the NFL after this weekend. Pugh might not, as well.

In the middle of these two veterans, Saquon Barkley stood in front of his locker, a black hooded sweatshirt covering the sides of his face. He did not contemplate the end of his playing days. He will be in the NFL in 2024. At this point, with this troubling season for Barkley and the Giants mercifully coming to an end not soon enough, it is difficult to envision Barkley suiting up in that popular No. 26 jersey ever again for the franchise that once viewed him as the most super of superstars.

Giants_and_Saquon_Barkley_appear_destined_to_go_separate_ways3Saquon Barkley, speaking to reporters on Wednesday, seems resigned that Sunday is likely his last game as a Giant. Corey Sipkin for the NY POSTIt is not that Barkley wants out or that the Giants have decided to move on. More precisely, it is that Barkley for the first time can mention wanting a fresh start and it sounds more like a plan than negotiating rhetoric. More precisely, it feels as if the Giants will lack much or any sentiment this time when they figure out what Barkley is worth, in as much as he currently is 14th among NFL running backs in rushing with 916 yards and the centerpiece of an offense that is 30th in the league in scoring.

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Saquon Barkley admits his ‘Giant for life’ dream is in serious jeopardy

Me sitting here saying, I want to be a Giant for life like I did last year, it doesnt help, it doesnt hurt, Barkley said Wednesday in a candid session with the media. So, Ill just leave that up to those guys.

Those guys mostly general manager Joe Schoen showed their hand a year ago after Barkley in his first season with the new Schoen-Brian Daboll regime rushed for a career-high 1,312 yards, staying healthy for the first time in his career as the Giants made the playoffs for the first time since 2016. Barkley was a major contributor to a winning team and, he thought, helped increase his value in a severely depressed running back market.

The tango the Giants and Barkley hit the dance floor with last year resulted in Barkley rejecting a two-year contract where they offered to guarantee him two years and between $22 million and $23 million. The Giants slapped the franchise tag of $10.1 million on him and then came to an agreement to sweeten the pot with $900,000 in incentives. It really was nothing more than artificial sweetener. Even if he hit every statistical benchmark, he would not see an extra dime unless the Giants made the playoffs.

Well, we all know how that went. Barkley is struggling to get to 1,000 rushing yards, he has eight total touchdowns and only 39 receptions, not at all aided by upheaval at quarterback and usually operating behind an unstable offensive line. Plus, he got hurt again, with an ankle injury that cost him three games. And the Giants, in case you havent noticed, are not headed to the playoffs, as they close out with the Eagles and will finish at either 5-12 or 6-11.

Giants_and_Saquon_Barkley_appear_destined_to_go_separate_ways3It’s unlikely Giants general manager Joe Schoen will reach a new deal with Saquon Barkley, The Post’s Paul Schwartz writes. Charles Wenzelberg / New York PostFor the first time, a case can be made that Barkley would be better off somewhere else, as his six-year stay with the Giants has produced 33 wins, 64 losses, one tie and one playoff victory, a stay filled with more disappointment than anything else.

He is always a fine ambassador for the team he is the Giants nominee for the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year award but nothing he has put on the field this season helped him earn bigger bucks. He has even more wear and tear on his body and turns 27 on Feb. 9, an age approaching the twilight zone at a position where mileage is frowned upon.

The Giants could again put the franchise tag on Barkley, which would cost $12.1 million in money and on the salary cap. That feels excessive for this player at this time. Perhaps there is a team out there willing to give him more than what the Giants will offer. But, most likely, not by much.

I do know that if Im going to strike, I have to do it now, he said. This is probably my last opportunity to get a second deal.

Barkley was the No. 2 overall pick in 2018, won the Offensive Rookie of the Year award and it has been more struggle than salvation ever since. His pride was wounded with the drama and eventual outcome of the most recent contract talks with the Giants. There figures to be more of that this time around.

His goal was and is to be here when it turns. He spoke about a really, really tough patch that some franchises go through, admitting that is where the Giants were before him and where they remain.

Giants_and_Saquon_Barkley_appear_destined_to_go_separate_ways3Saquon Barkley looks up to the sky after dropping a pass during the Giants’ 26-25 loss to the Panthers. Corey Sipkin for the NY PostYou would love being drafted here, you would love to be one of those guys and be part of the reason, be part of the teams that do it, Barkley said.

That would be nice, but this story is probably not destined for such an ending.

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