Saquon Barkley Committed to Giants Despite 1–5 Start: ‘I Don’t Want to Get Traded’

The standout New York Giants running back is poised to become a free agent this offseason for the first time in his career.

The Giants have struggled out of the gates in 2023, limping to a 1–5 record due to a combination of inconsistent play on both sides of the ball and injuries.

But one of the team’s best players isn’t backing down from the challenge of a slow start.

With the Oct. 31 trade deadline fast approaching, star running back Saquon Barkley, now fully healthy, said he has no interest in being traded and wants to see the season through with the franchise that drafted him.

“Sitting here, everyone knows how I feel,” Barkley told reporters Thursday. “I don’t think anyone in their right mind would want to get traded anywhere. It’s not an easy thing to do. You have to move. I have a family. I would love to be here. But like I said, it’s not in my control. My focus is to be the leader I can be for this team and get this thing on the right track.”

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Saquon Barkley was asked about the looming trade deadline:

"I've been public and vocal about how I feel about this organization and where I want to be... everyone knows I don't want to get traded." pic.twitter.com/aR1y7XI8ka

— Giants Videos (@SNYGiants) October 19, 2023

Barkley is expected to start at tailback Sunday against the Commanders, which will mark his second game back in the fold after missing three games with a high ankle sprain. In his return to the lineup last Sunday, he rushed 24 times for 93 yards in the team’s 14–9 loss to the Bills.

Barkley’s future with the Giants remains hazy after he was unable to reach an agreement on a long-term contract extension with the franchise in the offseason. Instead, Barkley signed a one-year pact that included an extra $1 million in incentives above the $10.1 million franchise tag figure for running backs. 

Although Barkley is poised to become a free agent after the season, he could help a contending roster immediately. With the season quickly slipping away for the Giants, it may behoove New York to move him before he potentially walks as a free agent next spring.

Barkley is coming off his best season as a pro last year, rushing for a career-high 1,312 yards and 10 touchdowns while staying healthy all season. In three games in 2023, Barkley has rushed for 207 yards and a touchdown, averaging 3.9 yards per carry.

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