The Giants’ veterans arrived at training camp with their most productive player under contract, in the locker room and ready to take part in the first practise of the summer.
Saquon Barkley came early Tuesday and signed a one-year deal, ending considerable doubt about his intentions. Barkley has yet to sign the franchise tender he got on March 7 and had unable to reach a deal with the Giants on a long-term contract by the July 17 deadline, leading some to believe he might not report to training camp. Barkley, on the other hand, went on the pitch for fitness exercises on Tuesday and will take part in the first practise on Wednesday.
“Obviously, we are glad we were able to work things out with Saquon,” general manager Joe Schoen said. “We all recognise Saquon for the player and person he is, as well as what he means to our team.” He is an excellent teammate, leader, and player. We’re excited to go back on the pitch tomorrow.”
Barkley, the Giants’ most successful and valuable player, starts his sixth season.
Barkley was instrumental in the Giants’ turnaround last season, which featured nine regular-season wins, the team’s first playoff spot since 2016 and its first postseason victory in 11 years.
He started each of the first 16 regular-season games until becoming one of several inactive regulars in the season finale against Philadelphia, the first time Barkley did not miss a game due to injury since his Rookie of the Year season in 2018. Barkley was named to his second Pro Bowl and one of three players nominated for NFL Comeback Player of the Year.
Barkley concluded with 295 carries for 1,312 yards – the fourth-highest total in the NFL – and 10 touchdowns, one fewer than his career-high rookie total. He had 133 more running attempts, 719 more yards, and eight more rushing touchdowns in 13 games in 2021. Barkley scored a touchdown in 10 of his 16 games, including two in the playoffs. He also tied for the club lead with 57 catches for 338 yards and finished ninth in the NFL with 1,650 scrimmage yards, almost doubling his 2021 total of 856.
Barkley joined Rhamondre Stevenson of the New England Patriots and Austin Ekeler of the Los Angeles Chargers as the only players to lead their clubs in both running and receiving.
For the fourth year in a row, he was elected team captain.
Barkley has started all 60 regular-season and two playoff games in five seasons. His regular-season totals include 4,249 yards running on 954 runs (4.5 yards per carry) and 29 touchdowns, as well as 247 catches for 1,820 yards (7.4 yards per receive) and eight touchdowns. He has 6,069 yards from scrimmage.
Barkley has run for 114 yards on 18 tries (6.3 yards per carry) and two touchdowns in the 2022 playoffs, while also catching seven catches for 77 yards for a total of 191 yards from scrimmage.
Barkley’s 6,069 scrimmage yards are the most by a player who started his career with the Giants in his first five seasons. Rodney Hampton had the previous record of 5,892 yards.
Barkley finished the 2022 season sixth all-time in team history, 389 yards behind Alex Webster. His 4,249 running yards rank second in Giants history among players in their first five seasons, behind only Hampton (4,807).
Bower, 28, is a 6-5, 250-pounder who has appeared in 26 regular-season games for Minnesota, New England, and Las Vegas, including three starts. He has 23 solo tackles, 2.0 sacks, and four tackles for loss. Bower appeared in six Raiders games in 2022.
Bower is a New Jersey native who attended LSU for four years.
Elerson Smith (heel) was waived or injured. Smith, a fourth-round lottery pick in 2021, appeared in only 13 games in two seasons, including five last year, due to injury. His stats were five tackles (one solo), two quarterback hits, six special teams tackles, and one special teams forced fumble.
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