Tampa Bay Buccaneers Have Good Chances to Sign Saquon Barkley in 2024
Saquon Barkley, the current New York Giants running back, played under the franchise tag in 2023, costing the organization approximately $10.1 million to retain the Pro Bowl-caliber back. Barkley, who did not have a very good season by his standards, is now slated to become a free agency this offseason, though the Giants might place the six-year NFL veteran on the franchise tag for the second straight season.
If the Giants and Barkley are unable to reach an agreement on a long-term contract deal, or if the team does not want to place the franchise tag on him for the second time in as many seasons, Barkley will undoubtedly have a list of suitors looking to add him to their squad.
According to Adam Thompson of bookies.com, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers might be one of the teams interested in signing the soon-to-be 27-year-old running back, with the Bucs having the sixth-best odds (+1000) for where he will play in 2024.
The move could make sense for the Buccaneers, as backup running back Chase Edmonds is also due to enter free agency this offseason, leaving only starter Rachaad White and rookie Sean Tucker on the active roster.
It remains to be known which way the Bucs will go, given they are still in the playoffs and will have to reconsider their options once the season is over.
Barkley has run 1,201 times for 5,211 yards and 35 touchdowns throughout his six-year NFL career with the Giants, in addition to 288 receptions for 2,100 yards and 12 touchdowns. He’s had a few of injury-plagued seasons and appears to be nearing the end of his career, but he still demonstrates that he can manage an NFL workload successfully and be a significant piece of any offense.
