Saquon Barkley & C.J. Stroud 'Goes Beyond' Friendship; Is Texans QB Recruiting Giants Star?

Saquon Barkley & C.J. Stroud 'Goes Beyond' Friendship; Is Houston Texans QB Recruiting New York Giants Star?

What's a few text messages between friends?

Maybe the difference between the Houston Texans being able to sign Saquon Barkley to join C.J. Stroud in what would be a stellar NFL backfield.

We already know thatBarkley, set to highlight this spring's class of NFL free agent running backs, followed quarterback Stroud, plus Nico Collins and Tank Dell, Devin Singletary and Brevin Jordan on social media.

And maybe that's innocuous.

But now comes a report that insists that the connection between Barkley, the 2018 No. 2 overall pick and two-time Pro Bowler set to possibly leave the New York Giants, "goes beyond him following guys on social media.''

“Saquon Barkley,''said Houston reporter Aaron Wilson, "is a case of him communicating with top players, including C.J. Stroud, about a desire to play here. It is mutual ...''

Wilson added that the Texans are "keeping their options open,'' and that can obviously include opting to not pay Barkley top-dollar while simply bringing back incumbent starter Singletary.

So what matters at this moment? Maybe it's about Barkley specifically. But more, maybe it's about the putting down of groundwork as the rookie Stroud, arguably on the cusp of becoming an NFL superstar, becomes a magnetic lure for other players.

Star free agents are considering ways to get to Houston? The Texans, it seems, have come a long way in a short time.