Dez Bryant explains why he thinks Saquon Barkley should be traded
Dez Bryant believes Giants star running back Saquon Barkley should embrace trade rumors. According to the former Cowboys star, Barkley could elevate his game if he’s dealt from New York.
“Honestly if I’m Saquon Barkley hearing trade rumors surrounding my name I’ll be up for it,” tweeted Bryant, regarding the former Penn State star. “I can see you being very dominant for one of those west coast teams.
“90% of the time the uncomfortable change turns out to be positive whenever you embrace it.”
It hasn’t been an easy road for Barkley. Like Bryant at the end of his career, the star running back has been bitten by the injury bug. However, he still has his entire career ahead of him — there’ll be plenty of teams willing to give Barkley an opportunity.
Still, the former Oklahoma state star believes Saquon Barkley should embrace the opportunity to leave New York. Moreover, he even offers up some possible suitors — stating he could be “dominant” for a West Coast squad.
Nevertheless, the Giants won’t deal Barkley unless they find a suitable deal for the running back. The NFL world will keep an eye on the star running back as the offseason heats up.
Giants GM on possibility of Saquon Barkley trade: ‘I’m open to everything.’
New York Giants general manager Joe Schoen isn’t ruling out the possibility of a Saquon Barkley trade. With the star running back having missed several games over the past two seasons because of injury, the new GM is willing to listen to offers.
“We’re still working through that, but I’m open to everything,” Schoen said, via Jordan Raanan of ESPN.com. “Like whether it’s trading player for player; I’ll listen to anybody. If it’s trading a couple players — I’m not going to say the entire roster, [that] we’re open for business on the entire roster. But if anyone is going to call and they’re interested in any of our players. I’m certainly going to listen.”
Schoen was hired this offseason after spending the past five years as the assistant general manager of the Buffalo Bills. He brought Bills offensive coordinator Brian Daboll along with him to be the team’s next head coach.
The young GM inherits a difficult salary cap situation, which could be a key factor in a potential trade of Saquon Barkley. The Giants are currently estimated at more than $11 million over the cap, according to ESPN’s roster management system. They will have to shed excess weight by cutting or trading some quality players.
Barkley, currently in the final year of his rookie contract, could be one of those pieces. The running back is set to enter is fifth NFL season, with a guaranteed salary of $7.2 million in 2022.
“We’re in a situation where unfortunately we have to get under the salary cap,” Schoen said. “We’re not in very good salary-cap health. Again, I’m not going to say yes to every deal, but I’m definitely going to listen and be open to the situations that are best for the New York Giants.”