Buccaneers Predicted to Add $11 Million Disgruntled Pro Bowl RB
It has not been a banner year for Saquon Barkley, but, all things considered, he’s done well for himself even as his team, the Giants, have not. That makes him a perfect fit for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers rumors file.
The Giants have been a terrible team, and are all but eliminated from playoff contention. Notable, though, is that they’re 4-5 when Barkley plays and 0-3 when he was out with an injury early in the year. Even with the time missed, Barkley is on pace for 1,083 yards rushing. So Barkley will hit the free-agent market next March as a guy who can probably be had at a bargain, but one who still has star potential in the backfield.
That is the opinion of the folks at Bleacher Report, who are predicting a Buccaneers-Saquon Barkley union this offseason.
“Given the tenuous contract negotiations and holdout that nearly lasted into August, it would be surprising if Barkley elects to return to New York in 2024,” writer Alex Kay asserted. “The team likely won’t be too desperate to have him back on a market value deal—estimated to be nearly $7 million per season by Spotrac—either, as there is a huge question mark at the quarterback position and plenty of other issues plaguing this roster.
“Although Barkley has carried this offense for the last two years, it’s clear his presence alone isn’t enough to keep this squad competitive without a viable option under center.”
Buccaneers Rumors Around RBs Will Be Plentiful
Of course, we don’t know what sort of option the Buccaneers will have under center, either, whether it is incumbent Baker Mayfield, a rookie draftee or whatever is behind Door No. 3. But we do know that a bruiser like Saquon Barkley could go a long way toward giving the offense—which has struggled in the run game—a boost.
Consider Barkley one portion of a sort of evergreen group of Buccaneers rumors, because any underappreciated star running back is going to be attached to Tampa in the coming months.
