Giants Country

Giants' Saquon Barkley Locked in on Upcoming Season

Barkley said he isn't focused on his contract situation beyond this year at this time.

Patricia Traina

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You remember Saquon Barkley, right?

The New York Giants running back famously put aside his disappointment in not getting the multiyear contract he was seeking after having an epiphany about his future has very much been a part of the team despite not playing in the preseason and not being talked about much.

That's a good thing, by the way. Barkley, whose desire to be great burns brighter than ever before, has been doing his thing in practice and is patiently waiting to have his number called to do what he does best: make plays.

"Obviously, my contract stuff and everything was public and talked about. I would turn on the TV and see myself being talked about. But for me, all that’s in the past. Like I said, once I made that mindset to come here, you’ve got to be mature about it. No hard feelings about it.

"So now, my back’s against the wall again. I’ve got to go out there and prove it. I’m going to go out there and play my heart out, compete at a high level, and do what I do best, not only for myself but for my teammates."

Barkley will get his chance to compete at a high level against a Dallas Cowboys team that last year finished 22nd against the run, allowing an average of 129.3 yards per game and which, by all accounts, didn't seem to upgrade its run defense as much as one thought might be the case.

That, along with the fact that Barkley has fresh legs from not having carried the ball or taking a pounding in the preseason, would mean the conditions are ripe for Barkley to have a big game against the Cowboys in the regular-season opener this Sunday night at MetLife Stadium.

Despite the lack of preseason reps, Barkley is ready for primetime.

"I go against (defensive lineman) Dexter (Lawrence II) and (defensive lineman) Leo(nard Williams) every week in camp," he said. "They’re some of my best friends and extremely talented, but they don’t take it easy on me."

As part of his epiphany, Barkley isn't as focused on his contract as he is on being there for his teammates and delivering his end. And the sixth-year running back has a rather interesting perspective on the year ahead.

"The financial part of it that's part of business," he said. "You go out there, you perform at a high level (inaudible) whether that’s for the Giants or other teams, but I kind of see last year as kind of like a rookie year, I guess. Not my rookie year, obviously, it’s year (six), but being back on the scene and showing what I’m capable of doing now, and how can I take it to another level?"

The answer is to do what the coaches ask of him and do it at a high enough level to remind people of why he was drafted No. 2 overall in 2018.

"I want to be able to take it to another level and be special," Barkley said. "Everyone always talks about the legacy and the names on these walls in this locker room and the indoor facility, and that’s what I want to be a part of. So, hopefully, I can start off to a great start and go on a high note in Week 1."

The Giants have set up the offense this year so that Barkley could very well reach those goals. After adding playmakers like Darren Waller, Parris Campbell, and Jalin Hyatt, the running back no longer has to worry about carrying the offense on his legs, though again, if he was asked to do so, he would without hesitation.

But the added talent will make things easier for him and the offense.

" I think adding (tight end) Darren (Waller) definitely helps, being able to bring a little to attention to him and all the guys. All the wide receivers, not just DJ (quarterback Daniel Jones), stepping up to another level but (wide receiver Darius) Slay(ton), (wide receiver) Isaiah (Hodgins), (wide receiver) P(arris Campbell), Belly (tight end Daniel Bellinger), (wide receiver Sterling) Shep(ard), all those guys, the O-line.

"I think we feed off each other well, and I feel like last year we showed that being a team, that whatever it takes to win, and that’s what I am excited for," he added.

As for the future, Barkley, who in the past has expressed a desire to be a Giant for life, was asked if that was still his goal.

"I was asked that before, and everyone knows how I feel. I was public about it before, but I think I would be doing a disservice to myself to get too caught up in my future and worrying about what’s going to happen and being a Giant for life," he said.

"I’ve got to live in the moment, I’ve got to live in the now, and like I’ve said multiple times for five years, kind of a saying that I stole from (Penn State head coach) James Franklin, 'Take it one day at a time, live in the moment and let the rest take care of itself.'"

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Patricia Traina
PATRICIA TRAINA

Patricia Traina has covered the New York Giants for 30+ seasons, and her work has appeared in multiple media outlets, including The Athletic, Forbes, Bleacher Report, and the Sports Illustrated media group. As a credentialed New York Giants press corps member, Patricia has also covered five Super Bowls (three featuring the Giants), the annual NFL draft, and the NFL Scouting Combine. She is the author of The Big 50: The Men and Moments that Made the New York Giants. In addition to her work with New York Giants On SI, Patricia hosts the Locked On Giants podcast. Patricia is also a member of the Pro Football Writers of America and the Football Writers Association of America.

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