Saquon Barkley addresses unknown Giants future

Running back Saquon Barkley seems to understand he may have just two games remaining in a New York Giants career that began when the club made him the second overall pick of the 2018 NFL Draft. 

"I feel like everybody is in a different position," Barkley explained while speaking with reporters on Thursday, per Dan Benton of Giants Wire/USA Today. "Some people know that this is their last year here, technically. You never know, you could sign back or not. Some guys have multiple-year deals where they are here. Me personally, knowing that the future is kind of unknown, it definitely crosses your mind, but I just try to take in every moment and just enjoy my time and go out there and compete with my teammates." 

Barkley elected against giving the Giants any type of hometown discount last offseason but ultimately signed an adjusted one-year franchise tag to report to training camp on time. While the fan-favorite and team captain turns just 27 years old in February, he has a worrisome injury history and likely won't be tagged again this coming March. 

According to Patricia Traina of Fan Nation's Giants Country, tagging Barkley again would cost the team slightly over $12M for 2024 unless he put pen to paper on an extension before the summer deadline for such deals. 

As for the 5-10 Giants, general manager Joe Schoen could press a figurative reset button in the spring and use a high draft pick on a quarterback who would eventually replace 2023 Week 1 starter Daniel Jones. Big Blue can escape Jones' contract as soon as after next season. 

"Obviously, the future is uncertain," Barkley continued. "My contract situation last year was a hot topic, but I feel like whenever that happens, I’ll worry about that then. So, just live in the moment, take care of these last few games..."

The Giants host the 8-7 Los Angeles Rams this Sunday. As of late Friday morning, ESPN Bet listed the Rams as 5.5-point favorites for that matchup. 

New York then closes the season with a home game against the Philadelphia Eagles on Jan. 7. If nothing else, Barkley should have two more chances to walk off the MetLife Stadium field as a player beloved by many Giants fans.