New York Giants GM Hints Barkley Could Be Traded

Could there be a Running Back, that was once described as being "touched by the hand of God" by the GM that drafted him, be available via trade?

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According to new New York Giants General Manager Joe Schoen, it's possible.  Schoen was asked recently if he would be open to trading the former 2nd overall pick from the 2018 NFL draft.  His response..."I'm open to anything"

Adam Beasley of the Pro Football Network tweeted out the response from Schoen, which will be sure to stoke the fires of the NFL trade rumor machine.

Barkley burst onto the scene as an All-Pro Rookie in 2018 with 261 carries for 1,307 yards, and 11TDs, and added 91 catches for 721 yards, and another 4 TDs.  Ever since though, his career has been hampered by injuries causing him to miss 3 games in 2019, 14 games in 2020, and 4 games last season.

Barkley did bounce back in 2021, posting over 800 yards from scrimmage as he came back from a torn ACL in 2020, and a torn meniscus in early 2021.

The question then becomes, where could Barkley go?  The former first-round pick is in the final year of his 5-year rookie deal, so his contract number of $7.2 million is high, but not a break the bank number, compared to another former first-round pick Christian McCaffrey and his $16 million cap hit for 2022.

One intriguing option...The Buffalo Bills.  Schoen, the Giants' first-year General Manager, spent the last four seasons as the Assistant General Manager in Buffalo, working hand in hand with Brandon Beane.  It's not uncommon to see General Managers for a new team, become trade partners with their former teams.

It would add a whole new element to Buffalo's already high-powered offense if Barkley could return to his rookie year breakout form.