Saquon Barkley

Chargers, Ravens, Bears Among “Serious Suitors” For Saquon Barkley

March 10th, 2024 at 10:01am CST by Rory Parks

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.

Mutual Interest Between Eagles, Saquon Barkley?

March 7th, 2024 at 10:57am CST by Adam La Rose

The long list of running backs on track for free agency next week is headlined by Saquon Barkley. A departure from the Giants is a distinct possibility, but he may still find himself playing in the NFC East in 2024.

The Eagles have an interest in signing the two-time Pro Bowler, per Howard Eskin of 94 WIP. That interest is reciprocated by Barkley himself, Ryan Dunleavy of the New York Post adds. Philadelphia could be in the market for a new lead running back in free agency if D’Andre Swift departs.

The latter was acquired via trade from the Lions during last year’s draft, and he enjoyed a career year while leading the Eagles’ RB depth chart. Swift topped 1,000 rushing yards for the first time and received a Pro Bowl invite. Given his age (25), he could be in store for a better market than most other, older backs who will be available once the new league year begins. Barkley has far more in the way of pedigree given his past production, though, and he could manage to secure more guaranteed money than most (or any) other backs in 2024.

The Eagles are positioned to be spenders at a few positions in free agency, as they currently have just under $42MM in cap space. Running backs have seen their collective value stagnate over time, and signs continue to point in that direction given the crop of veteran players who will be on the market simultaneously. Still, Fox Sports’ Ralph Vacchiano reports the Eagles are believed to be willing to “take a swing” at Barkley, a move which would represent a major move on offense.

Philadelphia’s late-season collapse was due in large part to defensive deficiencies, but inconsistency on the other side of the ball was often related to struggles in the ground game. Swift is joined by Boston Scott and Rashaad Penny as pending free agents, so the RB room could look much different for the Eagles in short order. Barkley would take on primary rushing responsibilities with a deal and also serve the role of complementary pass-catcher in an offense which could stand to add more targets at the running back spot.

News of Barkley-Eagles interest is interesting on a number of levels, not the least of which being the potential of the 27-year-old making an intra-divisional move. However, it is also notable given the recent report which tapped the Texans as Barkley’s preferred destination. In any case, his market will be worth watching closely when free agency begins, as will the Eagles’ willingness to make a splashy addition at the position.

Giants Have Not Made Saquon Barkley Offer In Offseason

March 6th, 2024 at 11:09pm CST by Sam Robinson

Saquon Barkley-Giants extension talks began in November 2022 and memorably ran up to the July 2023 deadline for franchise-tagged players to sign long-term deals. Not much activity has transpired this offseason.

Although the Giants met with Barkley at the Combine and are believed to be planning to make an offer to retain their Pro Bowl running back, the New York Post’s Ryan Dunleavy reports the team has not submitted one this offseason. The Giants will lose their exclusive negotiating rights with Barkley at 11am CT on Monday, when the legal tampering period begins.

This year’s legal tampering period will be Barkley’s first chance to negotiate with a team other than the Giants since they drafted him second overall in 2018. The Giants passed on franchise-tagging Barkley a second time, at a rate just more than $12MM, and may be ready to bid farewell to the six-year starter. While this is a crowded free agent running back class, Barkley is expected to draw the most attention. Barkley reaching the tampering period unsigned obviously increases the chances he will play elsewhere in 2024.

The Giants could not resume Barkley negotiations until after the regular season ended, but they have now had nearly two months to make another offer. Not doing so runs in stark contrast to last year, when they frantically attempted to retain both Barkley and Daniel Jones. The team ended up re-signing Jones and tagging Barkley minutes before last March’s tag application deadline. It is worth wondering the alternate reality of what would have played out if the team had reversed those moves, as Jones may be going into his last season as Giant — as persistent rumors about the team drafting a QB emerge.

No signs exist the Giants will ramp up talks at the 11th hour, Dunleavy adds, with the team potentially ready to let Barkley see what kind of offers come on the open market. GM Joe Schoen said a second tag was a consideration, but a rumor also emerged last month that the team was leery of Barkley’s age (27) and making another notable commitment. That said, the Giants are believed to have offered Barkley a deal including $22MM guaranteed last summer. The team reducing the offer’s AAV below $12MM, however, helped influence the former Offensive Rookie of the Year to pass. The Giants passed on trade interest at the deadline, despite a poor start. That sets the stage for this free agency foray.

Many backs will be available for the Giants in free agency. Josh Jacobs, Tony Pollard, Austin Ekeler, Derrick Henry, D’Andre Swift and Gus Edwards are ticketed for free agency in one of the best RB classes in the free agency era. Devin Singletary, who played in Brian Daboll’s offense for three seasons in Buffalo, also could appeal to the Giants at a lower cost. With Barkley likely the most expensive player in this crowded group, the Giants may be ready to add one of the other vets at a reduced rate.

It is possible the Giants will lose both Barkley and Xavier McKinney next week. The team did not use the transition tag on McKinney. Kyle Dugger‘s transition tag may have played a role. With Dugger tagged, McKinney naturally becomes a more attractive piece in free agency. The Giants would not have been entitled to any compensation if McKinney signed an offer sheet they did not match. Had the Giants transition-tagged McKinney, they also would not have been entitled to a 2025 compensatory pick if they did not match an offer sheet, as CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones points out. Transition-tagged players no longer count toward the compensatory formula.

Giants Will Not Tag Saquon Barkley

March 5th, 2024 at 9:58am CST by Adam La Rose

Giants general manager Joe Schoen has left the door open to a second Saquon Barkley franchise tag being used this offseason. That will not be the case, however; New York will elect not to tag Barkley, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

This represents the expected outcome, as a free agent spell has long been on the horizon for Barkley. The former No. 2 pick has played out his rookie contract (including the fifth-year option) as well as a 2023 franchise tag during his six years in New York. For the first time, though, he will be able to test the market. A deal keeping him with the Giants after doing so remains in the cards, CBS Sports’ Josina Anderson confirms.

A second Barkley tag would have checked in at a cost of $12.1MM. Using it would have prevented the franchise (or, perhaps more likely, transition) tag being applied to safety Xavier McKinney. Teams are free to use one tag in any given offseason, but not both. McKinney receiving the transition tag remains a “very strong possibility,” according to Ryan Dunleavy of the New York Post.

That route has been floated as a potential path for New York to keep the latter, who profiles as a higher priority given his age and the lack of high-end safeties set to reach free agency. Paying greater attention to McKinney will allow New York to avoid seeing a safety starter depart in free agency as Julian Love did in 2023. Talks on a long-term McKinney agreement are ongoing.

Barkley is on track to headline the list of available running backs, one which is notably long. Fellow 2023 tag recipients Josh Jacobs and Tony Pollard are also likely to reach the market, as are Derrick Henry, Austin Ekeler, D’Andre Swift and J.K. Dobbins. Of those, ESPN’s Dan Graziano writes Barkley is the likeliest to reach the $10MM-per-year mark on a new contract. Doing so will be difficult, though, given the state of the RB market in general and the bulk of available options this offseason in particular. Barkley, like Jacobs and Pollard, did not help his case for a lucrative pact during the 2023 season.

The Giants came close to an agreement with Barkley last offseason, with guaranteed money coming up as the main sticking point. That will likely be the case again as he enters his age-27 season. New York’s offense will (at least temporarily) include a major hole at the RB spot if Barkley departs, but that is a risk the team is formally prepared to run.

RBs A Priority For Ravens In Offseason

March 1st, 2024 at 7:04pm CST by Ely Allen

We noted something similar back in February, but the Ravens have made it clear lately that additions to the running backs group will be a priority in the offseason. Whether that comes through re-signing expiring deals, signing veteran free agents, or pursuing a rookie prospect, Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic’s quote from general manager Eric DeCosta says it best: (they) need more than two running backs.

The Ravens have lots of work to do in the coming weeks with expiring contracts all over their 2023 roster, but DeCosta is fully aware of which potential departures leave them most bare. Both former undrafted veteran Gus Edwards and former second-round pick J.K. Dobbins are set to hit free agency this spring, as will late-season addition Dalvin Cook and practice squad backs Melvin Gordon and Owen Wright, though Wright, an undrafted rookie, has signed a futures deal with the team. That leaves only Justice Hill and another undrafted rookie in Keaton Mitchell as the only two running backs with in-game experience on the roster moving forward.

Hill signed a two-year deal a year ago and will now play out the final season of that contract. He had the best season of his career in 2023 but has still failed to surpass 400 rushing yards or 4 touchdowns in a season. He expanded his role this year by adding 206 receiving yards. Mitchell was a pleasant surprise as a rookie, touting an outstanding 8.43 yards per carry average in eight games played. The diminutive back flashed elite speed and play-making ability when healthy, but a torn ACL midway through December leaves the team without their explosive second-year player for likely the entire offseason.

In our previous discussion on the subject, we laid out the cases for Dobbins and Edwards. Dobbins showed incredible upside as a rookie but has since struggled mightily to stay on the field. Edwards had been a reliable short-yardage and goal-line back in the early days of Jackson’s career, backing up Mark Ingram before teaming up with Dobbins and Hill. The big-bodied back with the nickname “Gus the Bus” has six years under his belt but showed no signs of slowing with a career-high 990 scrimmage yards and 13 rushing touchdowns this season. At the NFL scouting combine DeCosta made it known that the organization has not shut the door on the idea of bringing the two back. In fact, DeCosta claimed the team was “hopeful (they) can get something done with those guys,” per Ravens staff writers Clifton Brown and Ryan Mink.

We also explored the idea of free agency in our previous post. There are a number of big names hitting the open market this offseason, and Baltimore has already been connected to a few. Titans bell-cow Derrick Henry has been linked to the team since the days of the trade deadline. Other notable names like the Giants’ Saquon Barkley, the Raiders’ Josh Jacobs, and the Cowboys’ Tony Pollard have been mentioned, as well.

In the draft, there a couple intriguing names to look at like Michigan rusher Blake Corum or Texas running back Jonathon Brooks, but Wisconsin’s Braelon Allen is a name that has been making the rounds in Baltimore. If the team fails to sign any of the above veterans, expect the Ravens to pursue one of these players early in the draft. If a big name puts pen to paper, though, Baltimore will likely be content to take a late-round addition or even peruse the undrafted dregs once again.

Regardless, additions are going to be necessary in 2024. Especially with Mitchell coming back from a serious injury, the team can’t well expect to find success with only him, Hill, and Wright heading into the 2024 NFL season. Whether they bring back Edwards or Dobbins, sign a big-name in free agency like Henry or Barkley, or draft a high-end prospect, somebody will have to join the three currently in the running backs room.

Giants, Saquon Barkley Resume Contract Talks

March 1st, 2024 at 9:43am CST by Adam La Rose

For the time being, Saquon Barkley remains on track for free agency. He would be be one of several veterans available on the open market, but a Giants agreement is still a possibility.

Player and team resumed contract talks earlier this week during the Combine, Josina Anderson of CBS Sports reports. That falls in line with the previously-established plan for both sides in particular and common practice in general around the NFL when it comes to negotiations with pending free agents. Anderson adds that the meeting is believed to have gone well.

Upon the opening of the franchise tag window, the expectation was New York would steer clear of placing the one-year tender on Barkley for a second straight season. When speaking on the subject at the Combine, however, Giants general manager Joe Schoen confirmed that all options – including a second tag – were still on the table. As a result, Barkley may not join a slew of other veteran backs (a list which also features 2023 tag recipients Josh Jacobs and Tony Pollard) in reaching the open market later this month.

The Giants have until March 5 to apply a second tag, which would cost $12.1MM. With the 2024 salary cap checking in at a higher figure than teams anticipated, absorbing an eight-figure commitment at the RB position would be less cumbersome that New York first thought. The team has a number of other offseason matters to sort out, though, including an agreement with safety Xavier McKinney. A transition tag has been floated as a possibility in the latter’s case, but using it would prevent the Giants from being able to tag Barkley.

The Texans have emerged as a team to watch on the running back market this offseason, and Barkley reportedly has his eyes on a deal sending him to Houston. Such a move will not be possible if a Giants agreement is reached or the franchise tag winds up being used once again, though. New York’s efforts to retain the two-time Pro Bowler will remain a key storyline in the coming days, and the tag would create an extended window to continue negotiating well into the summer. That wound up being the case last offseason with no accord being struck; it will be interesting to see if 2024 produces a different outcome.

Texans Saquon Barkley’s Preferred Destination?

February 29th, 2024 at 10:18pm CST by Adam La Rose

The Texans are among the teams to watch on the running back front, and a they will have no shortage of options to choose from in free agency. Several accomplished producers at the position are on track to be available, and Houston could be well-positioned for a splashy addition.

After ranking 22nd in the league in rushing (97 yards per game), improvement in that area is an obvious need. The Texans are flush with cap space, so they could benefit from the crop of available rushers set to reach the open market. Houston has been linked to a RB pursuit in general, but one notable name has emerged which would certainly represent a buzz-worthy move.

Saquon Barkley has “targeted the Texans as his top potential destination,” KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson reports. Barkley has also been in communication with reigning Offensive Rookie of the Year C.J. Stroud, Wilson adds. The Giants made the unsurprising move of franchise-tagging Barkley last offseason, and doing so again is still on the table. Talks on a New York extension are ongoing as well, meaning the former No. 2 pick might not reach free agency.

In the event he did, however, Houston would represent an attractive destination. Stroud’s rookie campaign helped guide the team to the divisional round of the playoffs, and he is surrounded by a relatively young skill-position corps which would allow for a big-money investment on the market. With three 1,000-yard seasons to his name, Barkley would provide a dynamic element to the Texans’ ground game.

Ryan Dunleavy of the New York Post confirms the expectation around the league is that general manager Nick Caserio will be a central player in the RB market this offseason. Caserio has a background with the Patriots, a team which has traditionally avoided making sizable investments in veteran backs. A shift in philosophy would thus come as a surprise, although an upgrade at the position would likely go a long way in ensuring the team can repeat its success on offense from 2023.

“What do I think is going to happen?” Caserio said (via Wilson) when speaking about a potential running back addition. “We’re all going to find out. Free agency, it’s what does the market tell you? And then any player, what are you willing to pay that player commensurate with their role?”

Barkley would be far from the only high-profile back the Texans could show interest in. Fellow 2023 franchise tag recipients Josh Jacobs and Tony Pollard on set to reach free agency; the same is also true of Derrick Henry and Austin Ekeler. Among the pending free agents at the position is Devin Singletary, who joined the Texans last offseason on a one-year, $2.75MM deal.

Wilson reports there is a mutual interest between team and player for a new Singletary pact to be worked out. Such a development (coupled with the continued presence of 2022 fourth-rounder Dameon Pierce) would likely lessen the chances of a Barkley pursuit. Still, it is notable the latter has his eyes on a Houston arrangement while his Giants future remains in flux.

Giants GM: Saquon Barkley Tag Still In Play

February 28th, 2024 at 10:15am CST by Sam Robinson

Before the $255.4MM salary cap became a reality, a report indicated the Giants were highly unlikely to use their franchise tag on Saquon Barkley a second time. A subsequent rumor about an Xavier McKinney transition tag surfaced, injecting more intrigue into this situation.

But the cap came in about $10MM north of the Giants’ expectations. Considering the cost of tagging Barkley a second time ($12.1MM), the cap spike could play a key role in extending this long-running relationship. Though, Barkley still has a good chance of hitting the market for the first time.

Schoen said (via the New York Post’s Paul Schwartz) the Giants would like to have Barkley back in 2024 and added a tag is “not off the table,” though the third-year GM noted the goal would be to reach a deal with the Pro Bowl running back without using the tag. Teams regularly aim for this resolution, as it avoids a cap hold hitting a payroll before free agency.

Barkley may well be the top back available this offseason, should no tag commence, as neither the Raiders (Josh Jacobs) nor Cowboys (Tony Pollard) are planning second tag efforts at RB. Of course, the presences of Jacobs, Pollard, Austin Ekeler, Derrick Henry, D’Andre Swift and the Ravens’ Gus Edwards–J.K. Dobbins pair stand to dilute the market and work against Barkley, who played on a $10.1MM tag last season. The Bengals may also send Joe Mixon to the market, further crowding a pool that features higher-profile talent compared to last year’s deep RB free agent crop.

As of now, it appears the influx of cap space will “not greatly affect” how the Giants proceed with Barkley, Schwartz notes. The Giants and Barkley have engaged in on-and-off negotiations since November 2022. The sides came close on a deal last July, but as the team increased its guarantee to approximately $22MM, it reduced the offer’s base salary south of $12MM. That prompted Barkley to pass and play on the tag. He can begin speaking to other teams for the first time when the legal tampering period begins March 11.

“I wouldn’t say his value has changed, especially to the organization,’’ Schoen said. “He’s a captain; he’s a leader; he’s a hard worker. I think the world of Saquon, and I still think he can play. Unfortunately throughout the process starting back in November of 2022, we weren’t able to come to an agreement in terms of where we were for where a deal made sense. We’ll circle back again.”

The Giants are expected to make the two-time Pro Bowler an offer soon, and it will be interesting to see if it rivals what they proposed in July. Additionally, Schwartz notes Roc Nation’s Kim Miale, Barkley’s former agent, is not part of these negotiations. Barkley had brought CAA’s Edward Berry into the picture just before the 2023 tag extension deadline; Berry is now the RB’s lead representative.

As for McKinney, Schoen indicated (via Schwartz) talks have not begun. The sides will begin talking Friday in Indianapolis, when the safety’s agent arrives. McKinney will be one of the top DBs available, and the cap spike will certainly help him. It would cost the Giants $13.82MM to use the transition tag on McKinney, who will not turn 25 until August. Only four players have been transition-tagged over the past 10 years; teams are not entitled to any compensation if they fail to match an offer sheet for a transition-tagged player.

Examining Statuses Of 2023 RB Franchise Tag Recipients

February 23rd, 2024 at 9:02pm CST by Adam La Rose

One of the key talking points during the 2023 offseason was the continued downward slide of the running back market. High-profile players at the position met to discuss the matter, but to little surprise those efforts did not yield a firm plan for the future.

Three backs were hit with the franchise tag last spring: Saquon Barkley (Giants), Josh Jacobs (Raiders) and Tony Pollard (Cowboys). The latter quickly decided to sign his one-year tender, but the other two took until well past the deadline for extensions to be worked out for their immediate futures to become clear. Both Barkley, and later Jacobs, agreed to one-year pacts worth a higher maximum value than those of the tags. Now, all three face the prospect of a second tag or – far more likely – a trip to free agency.

With the RB market set to feature a longer list of names in 2024 than it did last offseason, teams will have a number of experienced options to choose from. An evaluation of each ’23 tag recipient’s performance this past year will no doubt be a key factor in determining the value for Barkley, Jacobs and Pollard. Here is a side-by-side look at each back’s production in 2022 compared to their totals while playing on the tag (or one-year equivalent):

Saquon Barkley (Age in Week 1: 27)

2022 (16 games): 18.4 carries per game, 1,312 yards, 10 touchdowns (57-338 receiving statline)
2023 (14 games): 17.6 carries per game, 962 yards, six touchdowns (41-280-4 receiving)

The Giants ran up against the 2023 tag deadline needing to find a way forward with both Barkley and quarterback Daniel Jones. The four-year, $160MM commitment made to the latter allowed the tag to be used on the former, despite his track record as the focal point of New York’s offense when healthy. Barkley missed time in 2023 due to an ankle injury, and the Giants underperformed with and without him during a forgettable campaign. Still, New York’s offense will be lacking in playmakers even if Barkley is retained for 2024.

A trip to free agency is now expected, though, something the former No. 2 pick has publicly welcomed. No doors have been shut with respect to a Giants agreement being reached, but few circumstances (if any) have tangibly changed compared to last year. New York made a series of offers with an inversely proportional relationship between AAV and guaranteed figures during last offseason’s negotiations and a different approach this time around would come as a surprise.

Barkley out-rushed backup Matt Breida by 811 yards, so his departure would create a massive void at the RB spot. The Giants are likely to use the No. 6 pick in April’s draft on a much-needed offensive playmaker or a Jones successor, and either move will help their outlook in the passing game. The ground attack would face serious questions without Barkley in the fold or an impactful replacement, although one could be acquired in a more cost-effective manner through the draft or a short-term veteran addition. Barkley’s pedigree could make him the most attractive free agent running back option in 2024, and it would be interesting to see how willing New York would be to win a bidding war.

Josh Jacobs (Age in Week 1: 26)

2022 (17 games): 20 carries per game, 1,653 yards, 12 touchdowns (53-400 receiving)
2023 (13 games): 17.9 carries per game, 805 yards, six touchdowns (37-296 receiving)

Jacobs led the NFL in touches during the only full season with Josh McDaniels at the helm. That resulted in league-leading rushing and scrimmage yard totals, but the Alabama product saw a downturn in usage on the ground and in the air when on the field in 2023. His missed the final four games of the campaign, a span during which McDaniels’ replacement (Antonio Pierce) helped his case to have the interim head coach label removed.

Pierce is indeed in place on a full-time basis, something Jacobs and a number of other players endorsed. Vegas is willing to explore a deal with the two-time Pro Bowler, but the price point will be worth watching with respect to new general manager Tom Telesco. The latter was in charge of a Chargers regime which allowed Austin Ekeler to seek out a trade in lieu of extending him. Ekeler joined Barkley and Jacobs in agreeing to a re-worked pact last offseason which has him in line for free agency this March. Telesco could be inclined to repeat his aversion to a long-term RB commitment in Jacobs’ case.

The Raiders have a potential Jacobs replacement in the form of Zamir White. The 2022 fourth-rounder averaged 4.1 yards per carry this season, and he eclipsed 100 rushing yards in two of the four games Jacobs missed to finish the campaign. White has two years remaining on his rookie contract, so placing him atop the depth chart and drafting another member of the backfield would be a more cost-effective direction to take. Vegas is expected to pursue a quarterback addition, something which could require cap resources otherwise available to Jacobs if it takes the form of a free agent signing or trade acquisition.

Tony Pollard (Age in Week 1: 27)

2022 (16 games): 12.2 carries per game, 1,007 yards, nine touchdowns (39-371-3 receiving)
2023 (17 games): 14.8 carries per game, 1,005 yards, six touchdowns (55-311 receiving)

As expected, the Cowboys moved on from Ezekiel Elliott once no guaranteed salary remained on his deal. That paved the way for Pollard to take on an undisputed No. 1 role in 2023, as showcased by his increased touches. The Memphis alum’s efficiency suffered a notable drop, though; his 4.0 yards per carry in 2023 represented the lowest of his career. With questions in place regarding Pollard’s production as a full-time starter, a lucrative deal would increase expectations in his production further while complicating an already unenviable cap situation.

Dallas’ offseason will be defined in large part by the team’s ability to work out a Dak Prescott extension. The veteran quarterback possess extraordinary leverage in advance of negotiations on a pact both sides are eager to hammer out. The Cowboys will likely also need to prepare market-setting extensions for wideout CeeDee Lamb and edge rusher Micah Parsons over the next two years, and re-signing Pollard would hinder those efforts. Allowing him to depart would create a major vacancy in the backfield, though.

Pollard and second-leading rusher Rico Dowdle (361 yards) are both pending free agents. The leading Cowboys rusher amongst RBs who are under contract for next season is Deuce Vaughn, who received only 23 carries as a rookie. Pollard has considerably more tread left on his tires than Barkley, Jacobs and a number of other free agent backs due to his time as Elliott’s backup. That (coupled with the lack of an obvious successor) could help his value and his effort to secure longer term on his next contact, albeit something which will come off the back of a relatively underwhelming year. At any rate, a tag for Pollard or any other Cowboy would come as a surprise.

The 2023 franchise tag cost $10.1MM at the running back position. In the case of Pollard and Barkley (whose one-year deal contained incentives paired with an identical base value), a second tag would cost $12.1MM. For Jacobs – who landed a slightly higher salary on his contract – a 2024 tag would check in at a price of $13.67MM.

Considering the performances of each member of the trio, their respective teams could aim to take another route this offseason and likely save considerable cap space in the process. Given the nature of their statistical showings, hesitancy on the part of interested teams with respect to a new agreement after another season of wear and tear would also be understandable. Further hurting the market for Barkley, Jacobs and Pollard is the depth of other veteran rushers set to be available.

Ekeler, along with two-time rushing champion Derrick Henry, is a pending free agent. The same is also true of 25-year-olds J.K. Dobbins and D’Andre Swift, who have each played out their rookie contracts and could profile as having higher upside given their age. While this year’s draft class is not viewed as having a plethora of impact prospects, recent history has shown teams can find production after Day 1 when looking to avoid expensive commitments at the position. For Barkley, Jacobs and Pollard, those factors will likely make it a challenge to secure multiple years of guaranteed money on their next pacts, regardless of where they come from.

Giants Considering Transition-Tagging S Xavier McKinney

February 21st, 2024 at 9:55pm CST by Sam Robinson

Unlikely to pull the trigger on a second Saquon Barkley franchise tag, the Giants are considering a more creative solution in an effort to retain their other top free agent.

A belief within the organization points to another agreement with Xavier McKinney being a better investment compared to paying a seventh-year running back, according to the New York Post’s Paul Schwartz. As Barkley seems to be a diminishing priority within the Giants’ power structure compared to 2023, McKinney’s stock may be rising.

Although the team is unlikely to use the franchise tag to retain McKinney, Schwartz indicates the lesser-used transition tag is a possibility to prevent the safety from testing free agency. The safety transition tag is still expected to be costlier than a second Barkley tag, being projected (per OverTheCap) at $13.9MM. After losing Julian Love last year, the Giants look to be exploring all avenues regarding McKinney. The latter was a consideration in the Love talks.

Unlike the franchise tag, teams receive no compensation if they fail to match an offer sheet for a transition-tagged player. The non-exclusive franchise tag mandates two first-round picks come back in the event of an unmatched offer sheet. If a team does not match an offer for a transition-tagged player, it simply loses the player. Teams have until March 5 to apply tags. Only one tag is available to a team each offseason.

Only four teams have used the transition tag over the past decade. The Dolphins (Charles Clay, 2015), Bears (Kyle Fuller, 2018) and Cardinals (Kenyan Drake, 2020) have applied the tag. A fourth transition tag development did affect the Giants in 2016. The Dolphins did use the transition tag on Olivier Vernon, but they rescinded it. That led to Vernon signing a monster Giants pact during an offseason that featured pricey Big Blue upgrades on defense. Of this group, only Drake ended up playing that season on the tag. The Dolphins’ GM when they transition-tagged Clay, Dennis Hickey now resides in the Giants’ front office.

Barring an offer sheet, the Giants would carry that estimated $13.9MM number on their cap sheet this year. They would have until mid-July to negotiate an extension. McKinney being prioritized over Barkley would continue a trend of other Dave Gettleman-era investments being viewed as better assets; GM Joe Schoen has given Daniel Jones, Dexter Lawrence and Andrew Thomas lucrative second contracts. Barkley joins McKinney in being weeks away from free agency. Players can begin negotiating with other teams March 11.

Proclaiming he is the NFL’s most complete safety, McKinney does not sound like a player who would be willing to make a deal without testing the market. The sides had started negotiations on an extension, but talks were ultimately tabled to 2024. It is also unclear if much negotiating transpired last year. Time is running out for the Giants, who have made a habit of moving on from safety regulars in recent years. In addition to letting Love walk — after months of negotiations — the Giants allowed Jabrill Peppers to leave in 2022, the same offseason in which the Schoen regime cut Logan Ryan. The Giants also did not re-sign Landon Collins when he became a free agent in 2019; the ex-second-rounder scored a then-record-setting deal in free agency.

“I want to be appreciated in every way for what I do and bring to the table. As a player and as a leader,” McKinney posted on X recently. “I’ve stood by myself ten toes through the critics, the hate etc. sacrificing what those around me didn’t want too or were afraid too for those same people to make it a better situation for all of us. May not always have been beneficial for me but it was for US. Don’t let that go over your head . And I’d do it 10 times over again.”

Last year, only one free agent safety — Jessie Bates — signed a deal worth more than $8MM per annum. The Giants obviously believe McKinney is in position to do better than last year’s second-tier safeties did. Grant Delpit also signed an extension in between these ranges, inking a $12MM-per-year accord with the Browns during the season. That only ties for 11th in terms of AAV at the position; McKinney will undoubtedly aim higher, which could set up another months-long Giants offseason negotiation.

Pro Football Focus graded McKinney, 24, as its No. 4 overall safety last season. The former second-round pick intercepted three passes, forced a fumble and tallied a career-high 116 tackles in his contract year. The Alabama alum did criticize the Giants’ coaching staff for a perceived lack of leadership last season, and he missed extensive time due to injuries in 2020 and ’22 — the latter due to an ATV accident.

McKinney may not be the safest bet, but he will be a high-level free agent soon. The Giants are planning last-ditch negotiations, but it may take a tag to ensure he stays in 2024.

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