Giants GM Joe Schoen on Saquon Barkley: 'We'd like to keep him around here'

New York Giants general manager Joe Schoen has again suggested running back Saquon Barkley is part of his plans beyond this season. 

"The franchise tag is a tool that we have and can utilize if we need to," Schoen said about the ball-carrier who is out of contract after the ongoing campaign during a Wednesday appearance on New York sports radio station WFAN, per Ryan Chichester of Audacy. "Saquon…he’s done everything we’ve asked. He’s a captain, and he’s a very good player at his position. He’s had a very good season." 

Following Tuesday's trade deadline, Schoen teased that the Giants could put pen to paper on extensions with both Barkley and quarterback Daniel Jones during their bye that runs through this weekend. Schoen indicated on Wednesday he'd like to retain at least Barkley's services past just 2023. 

"He’s a guy we’re gonna do our due diligence on," Schoen added about the first-round pick from the 2018 NFL Draft. "We’d like to keep him around here. We can get into the contract extension talks…decide a value for the player, where we see him and why, and then knowing we have the franchise tag as a tool in the toolbox." 

Schoen also hinted he and Barkley may be on the same page regarding the future. 

"Saquon and I have a great relationship," Schoen remarked. "I told him I’d like him to be here, and I think he’s in the same boat. We’ll see if we can work something out here at some point." 

According to The Football Database website, Barkley heads into Week 9 second among all players with 968 yards from scrimmage. ESPN stats show the 25-year-old is second in the league with 779 rushing yards and 163 carries featuring for a Giants team that has shocked many in the football community by beginning November at 6-2. 

Schoen and company decided that sacrificing future draft assets to make a big splash before Tuesday's deadline wasn't a risk worth taking. Thus, Barkley likely will remain the key figure for the Giants offense through Week 18 as long as he avoids injury issues that have plagued him throughout his pro career. 

New York will host the Houston Texans (1-5-1) on Nov. 13.