Celebrity working again Saquon Barkley has by no means been shy about his need to start and finish his profession with the New York Giants. He’d like to depart an enduring legacy behind and like Eli Manning and Michael Strahan earlier than him, do it with out ever sporting totally different colours.
However after final season’s ugly contract negotiations, which culminated with a modified franchise tag, Barkley now realizes that will not be doable.
In latest months, Barkley’s tone has shifted dramatically. The pending free agent will not be solely open to probably enjoying for an additional staff, however he can envision it.
“It by no means crossed my thoughts till final yr after I acquired tagged. Up till that second, I actually believed that I used to be gonna end my profession as a New York Large,” Barkley advised Advanced. “However when you get up to now, you go to your contract negotiation and also you undergo the tag course of, you notice how a lot of a enterprise it’s.
“And I keep in mind vets all the time telling me this and you realize I believed them, however you don’t actually know one thing till you undergo it. So might I see myself in one other uniform? Yeah, it’s doable.”
That doesn’t imply Barkley will put on a distinct uniform in 2024, nonetheless. He’s nonetheless very a lot open to returning to the Giants however would like it if they may keep away from the franchise tag.
“(Returning) continues to be in play. I’ve a lot respect for the Mara household and the Tisch household and everybody within the Giants group,” Barkley mentioned. “They know that.”
Respect doesn’t pay the payments and it doesn’t earn a paycheck. Barkley is nicely conscious of that and needs what he feels he’s owed. He additionally needs the chance to win a Tremendous Bowl.
“I’m not naive and I’m not, I’m not a idiot anymore. I’m relaxed that no matter occurs, I’d love for it to be completed but when it could’t and I’m capable of transfer on, I’d like to go to a staff the place I may help them win the Tremendous Bowl for positive,” Barkley mentioned.
It appears as if the celebrities would want to align for Barkley to return to the Giants in 2024.