The Green Bay Packers will need running back help in the offseason and one of the names to potentially watch for is Saquon Barkley. New York Giants general manager Joe Schoen decided not to use the franchise tag for the second consecutive season on him.
With this being the case, Barkley now heads for NFL free agency. He is on the free agent market along with a lot of other top-tier running backs like Josh Jacobs, Austin Ekeler, and Derrick Henry. Saquon Barkley has been playing on the New York Giants since 2018, where was the second overall pick out of Penn State in that NFL Draft.
On the Giants last season, he rushed for 962 yards on 247 carries and six touchdowns, along with averaging 3.9 yards per carry. Barkley also caught 41 passes for 280 yards receiving and four touchdowns, along with averaging 6.8 yards per reception.
With the Packers trying to fix its running back room for next season, they are most likely not bringing back AJ Dillon for next season. Aaron Jones will have one year remaining on his deal, but they could move off of him if they don’t restructure the money. Emmanuel Wilson was the other running back on the roster last season, but he was an undrafted free agent for a reason.
Green Bay does need a running back and they address it in many different ways. General manager Brian Gutekunst can select a running back or more in the 2024 NFL Draft or choose the free agency route.
The Guardian Thinks that the Green Bay Packers Can Land Saquon Barkley in NFL Free Agency
The Guardian posted an article on their website on Tuesday about different teams Barkley can choose to sign with in 2024 and maybe beyond now that the New York Giants made him an NFL free agent. They think that Saquon Barkley can team up with the Packers.
The Guardian wrote about Barkley about possibly teaming up with them this offseason by saying:
“How about a Jordan Love-Barkley backfield? The Packers already have fantasy football darling Aaron Jones and AJ Dillon on their roster. But Jones is 29, and Dillon is more of a between-the-tackles thumper than someone who contributes in the passing game. If Jones is to return to Green Bay next season, he’s liable to take a significant pay cut, as he did last season. Barkley would more neatly fit with Green Bay’s youth movement on offense and add a fresh skill set to a running back room in need of an injection of talent.”
The talent of Saquon Barkley would be a massive upgrade over Aaron Jones and AJ Dillon. Barkley is a homerun threat and is only 27 years old. Aaron Jones is 29 years old and would be 30 years old during the season. Saquon Barkley would be another weapon in this Matt LaFleur offense that can make quarterback Jordan Love even more dangerous during the 2024 NFL season.
