Did Saquon Barkley reveal possible interest in AFC team?

Saquon Barkley. Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

Did Saquon Barkley inadvertently reveal possible interest in AFC team?

By Michael Gallagher | Last updated 2/22/24

Several reports have indicated that the New York Giants are leaning toward letting running back Saquon Barkley test free agency.

If that happens, the 27-year-old RB is sure to have several suitors lining up for his services, and based on his recent social media activity, there may already be one team that’s caught his eye.

Barkley recently followed several offensive players for the Houston Texans on Instagram, including quarterback C.J. Stroud, wide receivers Nico Collins and Tank Dell, plus tight end Brevin Jordan — further stoking the fires of the Barkley-to-Houston speculation.

Saquon Barkley now follows J.J Watt, C.J Stroud, Tank Dell, Nico Collins and Brevin Jordan on IG #WeAreTexans pic.twitter.com/v5NnHdAuUH
— TEXAN-TEA TV (@TexanTeaTv) February 20, 2024

ESPN’s Matt Bowen recently linked Barkley to the Texans, stating the reigning AFC South champions would be the best fit for the former No. 2 overall pick.

“With Devin Singletary hitting the free agent market, the Texans could swing big here to add Barkley as a dual-threat player in Bobby Slowik's offense,” Bowen wrote. “Think of Barkley as an underneath outlet for C.J. Stroud, in addition to the rushing volume he would take on. Barkley has averaged 98.8 scrimmage yards over his career with the Giants, and he would bring even more juice to one of the league's most dynamic offenses.”

Though Barkley is likely to command a raise from the $10.09M he made in 2023 under the franchise tag, the Texans are flush with cash ($61.05M in cap space in 2024) and primed to spend big on a top-10 running back who would be an instant upgrade over what they had last year in Singletary and Dameon Pierce.

Limited to 14 games this season, Barkley rushed for 962 yards and six touchdowns on 247 carries. He also added 41 receptions, 280 yards and another four scores through the air, finishing 24th in the NFL in yards from scrimmage (1,242) and tied for 18th in total touchdowns (10).

In six seasons, Barkley has rushed for over 1,000 yards and scored double-digit touchdowns three times.

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