Saquon Barkley Stands On Top Of Jim Harbaugh’s List To Pursue, Says Ryan Leaf
According to Ryan Leaf, Jim Harbaugh, the new head coach of the Chargers, wants to develop a devastating running game, which may include Saquon Barkley if he becomes available.
Saquon Barkley Stands On Top Of Jim Harbaugh’s List To Pursue, Says Ryan Leaf
Jim Harbaugh, the new head coach of the Chargers, may approach the two-time Pro Bowler, who is an unrestricted free agent this offseason after spending six seasons with the Giants, according to Ryan Leaf, Harbaugh’s former colleague.
“Austin Ekeler’s a big part of what it could be with them running the football, but I do think that Saquon Barkley’s going to be at the top of [Harbaugh]’s list, in terms of, what he wants to do with the running back position with him being a free agent,” Leaf said Friday on “Good Morning Football.”
NEWS: Pending free agent star running back Saquon Barkley is at the top of #Chargers Jim Harbaugh’s list of players he wants to bring in.
"He wants to run the football and he wants to use those guys down the field with play action."
👀
(Via NFL Media) pic.twitter.com/P0PsqtkX0n
— MLFootball (@_MLFootball) February 2, 2024
Jim Harbaugh, the new head coach of the Bolts, and Leaf were colleagues on the Los Angeles Chargers. Leaf stated that Harbaugh has big plans for the running back room on the squad.
After Barkley originally refused to accept the team’s franchise tag in the hopes of receiving a contract extension, then finally gave in and signed a $10.1 million guaranteed agreement on the tag, his relationship with the Giants worsened last winter.
“I think they could franchise tag him again, I know that’s a lot of money. But it’s something I know that Jim Harbaugh wants to do. He wants to run the football, and he wants to use those guys down the field with play-action.”
Ryan Leaf says #Giants Saquon Barkley is at the top of #Chargers HC Jim Harbaugh’s list 👀
(h/t @gmfb)pic.twitter.com/RoIf3XZLnp
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) February 2, 2024
If Harbaugh is serious about acquiring Barkley, he may need to be ready to part with two first-round draft selections in addition to crafting a massive offer sheet for the former Penn State standout.
This is due to the widespread belief that should a new contract with Barkley not be reached by the March 5 franchise and transition tag deadline, New York will apply the franchise tag to the running back.
Barkley has expressed his desire to stay a Giant for life on several occasions, and the Giants have agreed with him. However, Barkley admitted that he and the Giants had differing opinions on his total value during an interview on the Money Matters podcast before the start of training camp last year, which prevented the two parties from making that happen.
#Giants Saquon Barkley at the top of Jim Harbaugh’s #Chargers wish list.
That guy with the 44-19 NFL record and coming off a national title really doesnt get weighing positional value vs how talented players win games, I guess.
🙄— Ryan Dunleavy (@rydunleavy) February 2, 2024
But Barkley will probably seek a big contract, and the Chargers don’t have much money to spend—according to Over the Cap, the team coached by Justin Herbert is over $45 million in the hole when it comes to cap space.
The 2018 Rookie of the Year, Barkley, amassed 962 yards and six touchdowns through the air in addition to 280 yards and four touchdowns on the run in his debut season.
⚠️ Saquon Barkley is predicted to be at the top of Chargers HC Jim Harbaugh's free agent list, per Ryan Leaf of GMFB. What are your thoughts??#NYG #BigBlue #NYGiants pic.twitter.com/Ah9wCCrpMu
— Fireside Giants (@FiresideGiants) February 2, 2024
Is Saquon Barkley a free agent?
The Giants have safety Xavier McKinney and running back Saquon Barkley, two of the top 50 free agents available this summer.
How many Pro Bowls does Saquon have?
Saquon Barkley spent six seasons with the Giants as a player. In addition to 288 catches for 2,100 yards and 47 touchdowns, he has 1,201 carries for 5,211 yards. He won the Offensive Rookie of the Year title and was chosen to participate in two Pro Bowls.
Saquon Barkley Is Allegedly At The Top Of Jim Harbaugh's Wish List https://t.co/k4YRq1mVrj pic.twitter.com/SG1QeFmkeo
— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) February 2, 2024
Is Saquon Barkley sponsored by Nike?
Saquon Barkley, a former running back for Penn State and current NFL draft candidate, said on Friday that he had agreed to an endorsement deal with Nike.
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