Top landing spots for RB Saquon Barkley

Saquon Barkley's future is still undecided. A return to the New York Giants isn't off the table, but it's becoming increasingly more likely by the day he will be wearing another uniform in 2024. 

The Giants could place the franchise tag on the former No. 2 overall pick for a second consecutive season, but that's unlikely to please Barkley. Ralph Vacchiano of Fox Sports recently stated that the vibe feels like the pair are "headed for a divorce." 

With the writing potentially on the wall, here are four possible landing spots for Barkley: 

Chicago Bears 

The Bears ranked second in the NFL in rushing this season, but quarterback Justin Fields was the team's most effective runner, recording a team-high 657 yards on the ground. No one wants to remove Fields' playmaking ability with his legs, but finishing only eight rush attempts short of leader Khalil Herbert (132) isn't sustainable. 

Whether the Bears decide to use one of two top-10 picks in April's draft on a quarterback or not, adding Barkley to a unit that already includes WR D.J. Moore would give the Bears an intimidating offense – on paper, anyway. Furthermore, according to Over The Cap, the team can afford him, boasting an estimated $50.8 million to spend on free agents this offseason, the eighth-most in the NFL. 

Green Bay Packers

Staying in the NFC North, the Packers could be in the market for a player like Barkley, too. Oft-injured running back Aaron Jones is 29 years old and if he is back in 2024, will likely have to take a pay cut (scheduled to make $12 million), while 2020 second-rounder AJ Dillon has proven to be only a complementary piece over four seasons. 

Packers QB Jordan Love emerged as the team's undisputed No. 1 after a tremendous first season as the starter despite being surrounded by the most inexperienced offense in the league. Barkley's dynamic rushing ability and ability to catch the ball out of the backfield could be invaluable to Love's maturation while helping the seemingly ahead-of-schedule Packers challenge the Lions atop the division. 

Houston Texans 

The Texans offense ranked 12th in the NFL overall but only 22nd in rushing this season. Five-year veteran Devin Singletary offered balance, starting the final nine games, but the team still lacks an elite playmaker in the backfield. 

Singletary had a career year this fall, rushing for 898 yards after muscling RB1 duties from second-year back Dameon Pierce. Imagine what Barkley might be capable of alongside wideouts Tank Dell, Nico Collins and dynamic QB CJ Stroud. Much like the Packers, the two-time Pro Bowler might be an attractive piece for the Texans, who could be looking to accelerate the steps of an already widely successful rebuild. 

Philadelphia Eagles 

If the Giants decide to part ways with Barkley, heading south on the turnpike to join the Eagles would be the ultimate revenge. Furthermore, it'd be a homecoming for him, having played football at Whitehall High, roughly an hour outside of Philadelphia, before his collegiate career at Penn State. 

The move would make sense for the Eagles, too. D'Andre Swift posted his first career 1,000-yard campaign this fall, but has been used inconsistently and will be a free agent at season's end. Without Swift, the Eagles have only one RB under contract for 2024, Kenneth Gainwell, so they'll need to find someone to run the football behind arguably one of the top offensive lines in football. Why not Barkley? 

Barkley is still an incredibly versatile back who would offer any of the above teams a massive upgrade in the backfield. While health has always been a concern, the 26-year-old has played 43-of-51 games since suffering a season-ending torn ACL in Week 2 of the 2020 campaign. 

Barkley has also been productive on lackluster Giants teams. From 2021-23, he has averaged nearly 1,000 yards (956) per season, adding 139 receptions (881 yards) and eight total touchdowns. Over that stretch, six quarterbacks made starts for the Giants, including Daniel Jones, Mike Glennon, Jake Fromm, Davis Webb, Tyrod Taylor and Tommy DeVito.