Saquon Barkley makes telling comments about Giants future

Star running back Saquon Barkley repeatedly made it known ahead of last month's NFL trade deadline that he wanted to stay with the New York Giants through and beyond this season. 

Barkley may see the writing on the wall with the 2-8 Giants likely staring at a multi-year rebuild.

"Loyalty means nothing," Barkley directly said while speaking with reporters on Thursday, per Robert Sanchez of SNY. "No matter how loyal, no matter how committed you are, it’s a business at the end of the day. That’s something that I’ve learned, so for me the way I try to handle that is not really focus on that, try my best not to think about it." 

Barkley bet on himself earlier this year when his camp reportedly rejected a contract offer worth $13M per season and $26M over that deal's first two campaigns. The Giants then signed quarterback Daniel Jones to a four-year contract in March and held onto Barkley's rights via the non-exclusive franchise tag.

Barkley ultimately inked what is essentially an adjusted one-year tag to report to the club for training camp. That deal doesn't prevent general manager Joe Schoen from tagging the 26-year-old again this coming March.

Barkley missed three games this season with an ankle problem, has a worrisome injury history and will turn 27 years old in February at a time when teams routinely decline to sign veteran running backs to long-term contracts. It's also worth noting there's plenty of uncertainty hovering over the Giants ahead of Thanksgiving Day amid rumors suggesting team co-owner John Mara could put both Schoen and head coach Brian Daboll on the chopping block depending on how embarrassing things get for the organization by Week 18. 

"I feel like every week I have to answer a question about it… that’s the only time it really crosses my mind," Barkley added about his future. 

For now, Barkley will do whatever possible to help undrafted rookie quarterback Tommy DeVito try to earn an upset win at the 4-6 Washington Commanders this coming Sunday. As of Thursday afternoon, oddschecker listed the Giants as nine-point underdogs for the matchup at FedEx Field.