Potential Bears free-agent target Saquon Barkley says he wants to be a ‘Giant for life’

The Chicago Bears are scheduled to have the most money to spend in free agency during the 2023 NFL offseason, and while running back isn’t viewed as a primary need for general manager Ryan Poles, players like New York Giants star Saquon Barkley rarely become available.

Barkley is slated to become an unrestricted free agent, assuming the Giants don’t use the franchise tag on him. With quarterback Daniel Jones also on an expiring contract, New York must choose which critical starter to use the franchise player designation on. Logic assumes the Giants will tag their quarterback, leaving Barkley free to market his services to teams searching for an elite playmaker.

The Bears need one of those.

But if Saquon Barkley gets his wish, he’ll be in Giants blue for the rest of his career.

“I wanted to show them the guy they drafted is still here,” Barkley said after the Giants” loss to the Eagles in the NFC Divisional Playoff round. “I hope I did that. Everyone knows I would love to be a Giant for life, but I really can’t give 100% answers. Sometime this week, I’ll have a conversation with my agent Kim and see what’s up.”

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Will the New York Giants use the franchise tag on Saquon Barkley?

NFL teams have until March 7 to use the franchise tag. The 2023 window for franchise tag designations opens on February 21.

“I can’t envision that being my last time in a Giants uniform,” Barkley

Montgomery will have a difficult time landing a lucrative deal before any of those running backs, increasing the odds he might return to the Bears on a team-friendly deal.

Khalil Herbert will assume the starting job if Montgomery doesn’t return to Chicago. And while Herbert’s proven to be an exciting playmaker through his first two seasons with the Bears, Saquon Barkley is on a different tier. He’s special.

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Saquon Barkley would take the Bears” offense to another level

If Poles wants to take Chicago’s offense to another level, adding a do-it-all superstar like Saquon Barkley makes sense. Remember: Barkley isn’t a traditional running back. Yes, he’s 230 pounds and can handle a 25-carry workload. But he can also threaten for 100 catches in any given season. He’d be the Bears’ best receiver the second the ink dries on his contract.

According to Spotrac, the projected average annual salary for Barkley’s next contract is $11.9 million. Should the Bears consider a four-year, $48 million deal for Barkley, who finished the 2022 season with 1,312 rushing yards and 10 TDs?

Sure, there are other ways Poles can spend the Bears’ free-agent dollars this offseason. He must strengthen the offensive and defensive lines, and adding another starting-caliber wide receiver is a priority. Assuming he can check those boxes with money left over, which is a realistic outcome, Barkley would be a fantastic luxury signing to pair with Justin Fields for the next few seasons.

For now, it’s a waiting game. But if Barkley hits the open market, don’t rule out Ryan Poles making a run at him.

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