Fans of Saquon Barkley will appreciate this post, there’s plenty of good news to report.
The Giants picked up Barkley’s fifth-year option on Wednesday, the team announced. The move ensures the running back will have two more years with Big Blue.
Barkley was the No. 2 overall pick in the 2018 NFL draft after starring for Penn State.
What the move also does is give both sides additional time before deciding on if this will become a long-term relationship between both sides. With the move, Barkley’s 2022 salary, worth about $7.2 million, according to Giants beat reporter Jordan Raanan of ESPN, becomes fully guaranteed.
Last season, Barkley tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee during a Week 2 loss at Chicago. In 2019, he battled through an ankle injury for most of the season and still managed to rush for 1,003 yards.
Barkley’s injury history is enough to justify the Giants wanting more time to evaluate him before discussing a long-term contract. When healthy, he’s one the game’s most exciting players. He’ll get the opportunity in 2021 to show and prove.
The news follows an earlier report from NFL insider Adam Schefter that Barkley is on track to be ready for the start of the upcoming season.
Image: Saquon Barkley – Seth Wenig / AP
