Giants' Saquon Barkley again addresses future ahead of trade deadline

New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll and general manager Joe Schoen recently informed star running back Saquon Barkley they intend to keep him through this coming Tuesday's trade deadline. 

Barkley seems to understand the situation could change if the 2-5 Giants lose to the 3-3 New York Jets on Sunday. 

"I don't think it made me feel any better or any worse," Barkley said about the conversation he had with Daboll and Schoen during a chat with Jordan Raanan of ESPN. "It wasn't like I was too overly concerned about it, to be honest. And I never even thought about it until the question was brought up. I didn't even realize when the trade deadline was."

Barkley made it known ahead of what became last Sunday's 14-7 win over the Washington Commanders he wants to stay put through at least Week 18, and Daboll publicly told reporters this week that the club trading the 26-year-old is not happening. While speaking with ESPN, the 2018 first-round draft pick revealed his mindset regarding the remainder of his career. 

"I want to create a legacy, and the way you do that is by continuing to stay with a team through your whole career," Barkley explained. "As I see the NFL and realize the business, you know, it's less likely for that to happen for players. But if you're able to accomplish that, it's special."

Barkley is in the final months of a one-year contract he signed after his rights for 2023 were retained via the franchise tag. 

Schoen could again use the tag on Barkley in March 2024, allow the ball-carrier to reach free agency or trade the franchise's most marketable star if the front office feels by Tuesday afternoon that participating in the postseason tournament for a second straight year is no longer a realistic goal.

"I was born in [the Bronx], raised in Pennsylvania," Barkley noted. "But my whole family is from New York. So I kind of was raised with a New York mindset." 

Earlier this week, Dan Duggan of The Athletic reported that the Giants probably won't trade Barkley because it's estimated the sixth-year pro is only worth a day three draft pick on the market. However, Ralph Vacchiano of Fox Sports suggested Friday the Giants could reconsider if it's thought quarterback Daniel Jones will miss more than three games with a lingering neck injury: