Saquon Barkley Stats: Giants, RB Still at Odds Over New Deal

Note to Giants: Pay the Man!

Where Is Saquon Barkley Now? The Quest for Full Recovery From Week 2’s Ankle Sprain

The New York Giants, fueled by optimism at the season’s start, envisioned Saquon Barkley as an unstoppable force in every game – a dream unfulfilled since his debut year in 2018. However, the harsh realities of the sport caught up in Week 2, sidelining Barkley with an ankle injury that has the team’s hopes hanging by a thread. Saquon Barkley stats do have a place in the heart of his team.

Predicting the return of a player from a high ankle sprain is like trying to catch a Hail Mary – it’s a shot in the dark. High ankle sprains often demand a three to four-week healing period, signaling that patience is the name of the game. He’s already back but, despite the challenges, Barkley is no stranger to carrying the weight of expectations, welcoming the coaches’ call for his services.

His high ankle sprain, while persistent, isn’t dampening his spirit, with management of the condition being his current mantra. As the Giants navigate through the rest of the season, the comeback of their key player could be the spark they need to ignite their offensive firepower and turn the tide of their campaign.

“I mean, it’s a high ankle sprain. It’s not going to just go away. It’s something that’s going to linger throughout the whole season. You’ve just got to do a good job of managing it, taking care of it,” Barkley optimistically commented.

Earlier This Year:

There’s no doubt Saquon Barkley is one of the top running backs in the game. The Saquon Barkley stats show a career-best 1,312 rushing yards last season and 57 receptions for an additional 338 yards. It was likely his best NFL season since his rookie year. Now, Barkley is looking for a big payday. The Giants aren’t quite as eager to meet those demands.

The shelf life of a running back is typically on the shorter side. The constant pounding that running backs get takes a toll over time. The Giants know this but still made a reported offer of close to $12.5 million per season, which was rejected by Barkley. So the Giants slapped the franchise tag on Barkley, which would see him earn a little over $10 million in 2023. He hasn’t signed it yet. The two sides still have until July 17 to work out a longer-term deal.

One possible reason New York is a little leery to offer Barkley what he wants is his injury history. Barkley played in 16 games his rookie season and last year. The Saquon Barkley stats show he’s played in 13 games on two occasions and in 2020 played in just two games. As running backs age, they typically become a little more injury prone.

Barkley’s production isn’t really a concern. When he’s on the field, he can get the job done. The Saquon Barkley stats show three 1,000-yard seasons and has always been a reliable receiver. But he may be showing a few signs of slowing down. Last season’s 4.4 yard-per-carry average was lower than his first two seasons. His 5.9-yard-per-reception average was the lowest in his career.

Possible Trade Destinations

There hasn’t been a whole lot of talk on the Barkley trade front. But he would be a good pickup for several NFL teams, who could use a little more from the backfield. The New York Jets are one team that has been linked to Barkley, along with Denver. But a trade seems unlikely until the Giants and Barkley take more time to try and iron out a new deal. If nothing is happening by the July 17 deadline, trade talks will likely pick up.

Low Odds for NFL Offensive Player of the Year

The NFL odds on Barkley winning NFL Offensive Player of the Year are on the low side. At +1800, Barkley is tied for the fifth-lowest odds out there. Only two running backs have lower odds than Barkley. He was a big part of New York’s success in the scores and odds last season. The Giants were 10-8-1 straight-up and an impressive 14-5 against the point spread a year ago. Barkley isn’t the worst bet you could make for NFL Offensive Player of the Year at +1800. But it is a little hard to pull the trigger until his contract status is a little more settled.

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