Giants exercise fifth-year option on RB Saquon Barkley

New York Giants star running back Saquon Barkley has one less thing to worry about as he continues to recover from the torn ACL he suffered last September. 

ESPN's Adam Schefter and others reported Wednesday afternoon that the Giants have exercised their fifth-year option attached to Barkley's rookie contract. According to Joel Corry of CBS Sports, Barkley's salary-cap number will drop from roughly $10 million for the 2021 season to slightly over $7.2 million for 2022 under the option. 

The Giants confirmed the news later on Wednesday. 

Those cap figures could change if Barkley and the Giants agree to a contract extension at any point over the next several months. However, both Giants general manager Dave Gettleman and co-owner John Mara suggested in March the organization would show patience and possibly even wait to see how Barkley plays on the repaired knee this fall before entering any real discussions about a deal. 

Earlier in the day, Schefter reported Barkley is on track to take the field for Week 1 of the 2021 season. 

The 24-year-old rushed for over 1,000 yards in each of his first two NFL campaigns but recorded only 34 yards on 19 carries last September before his injury. Barkley also has 149 career receptions for 1,219 yards and six touchdowns.