Saquon Barkley looking to prove doubters wrong after disappointing start to career

New York Giants general manager Joe Schoen has only been in that role since January and, thus, wasn't the man responsible for using the second pick of the 2018 NFL Draft to land running back Saquon Barkley. Schoen told reporters at the league's annual meetings late last month he wasn't actively attempting to trade the 2018 Offensive Rookie of the Year who suffered a season-ending torn ACL in September 2020 and who largely failed to impress last season. 

On Wednesday, it was Barkley's turn to address the media. 

"I'm not rehabbing the knee. That's one. I'm not out there thinking anymore," Barkley explained about what feels different this spring, according to Danny Abriano of SNY. "At the time, you're like 'I'm not even thinking about it.' But then, you look back a year later and you're like 'Oh, my gosh. It's two completely different things.' Getting stronger, getting back to how I like to train.

"I also added in the new things to keep me healthy. Mobility-wise, stability-wise. All those little things. It's not just the now. I want to play this game for a long time. I don't want to have a short career. That comes with taking care of your body. That's really the biggest difference. Training hard, pushing your body, but also training smart." 

Barkley is in the final year of his rookie contract and has been the subject of numerous trade rumors since as far back as last fall. The 25-year-old has heard such chatter and suggested he'll be looking to silence doubters later this year. 

"My mindset from the last two years, to be honest, I just kind of want to kill, to go crazy. I don't want to jump the gun," he remarked. "It's a long way before September and we start the regular season. To be honest, I'm just tired of whatever is written about me -- the BS that's said about me or this team.

"I want to go out there and prove to this organization that the player that they drafted is still there, and that I can still do special things with this ball in my hand, and I can help this team win games."

Barkley and his teammates are essentially starting from scratch and looking to impress new head coach Brian Daboll, who was also hired in January. Whether or not Barkley will or should stay with the rebuilding Giants past this fall's trade deadline is likely a topic that will continue to be discussed among fans and analysts throughout the summer.