Saquon Barkley to the Bears? No franchise tag for superstar RB

The New York Giants won’t use the franchise tag on running back Saquon Barkley, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported Tuesday, making the superstar offensive weapon free to sign with the highest bidder in free agency.

Giants are not placing franchise tag on RB Saquon Barkley, per sources. Barkley is free to leave.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 5, 2024

Barkley, 27, is expected to command a contract that pays nearly $10 million per season, according to Spotrac. With nearly $80 million to spend in free agency, the Chicago Bears will be on the short list of teams connected to Barkley, especially if the team uses the first overall pick on USC quarterback Caleb Williams.

The best friend of any young quarterback is a do-it-all running back. Enter Saquon.

Barkley was the second overall pick of the 2018 NFL Draft, and while he’s battled injuries throughout his career, he’s proven to be one of the league’s true game-changers. His best season came in 2018 as a rookie when he ran for over 1,300 yards, added 721 yards as a receiver, and scored 15 total touchdowns. He dealt with various injuries in the seasons that followed but returned to form in 2022, setting a career-high with 1,312 rushing yards.

Saquon Barkley’s production regressed in 2023 after Daniel Jones was lost for the season. He finished the year with 962 rushing yards.

Saquon Barkley would be a massive upgrade for Bears

Khalil Herbert and Roschon Johnson are quality players, but adding a running back like Barkley would transform the offense. Poles is expected to spend money on offensive firepower in free agency, and while most fans believe that firepower will come via a wide receiver or two, it’s Saquon Barkley who might be the best pass-catcher on the market.

The @ChicagoBears should welcome @saquon to Chicago! pic.twitter.com/K1Iqu4m1Sr

— Ryan Wiers (@rwierscreative) February 13, 2024

Barkley would be the best running back the Bears fielded since Matt Forte, who, like Barkley, was a three-down stud.

Spending top dollar on a running back has been labeled bad business in recent years, and I get it. I wouldn’t support Poles signing a player like Derrick Henry, for example. But Barkley is more than just a running back, and guys with his skill set are worth opening the checkbook for.

In less than one week, the Chicago Bears and the rest of the NFL will get their chance to sign him, which a season or two ago would’ve seemed like a pipe dream.