INDIANAPOLIS – Sakuon Barkley is not untouchable. The New York Giants are at least ready to have fun talking to the talented quarterback, new general manager Joe Schoen said at the NFL plant on Tuesday.
With a new regime in place, a difficult pay ceiling situation and three seasons full of injuries for Barkley, Schoen said he was open to hearing what offers he had. The Giants are currently valued at more than $ 11 million above the limit, according to ESPN’s list management system. They will have to lose weight by reducing or exchanging some quality players.
Among the possibilities seems to be the relocation of Barkley, who is guaranteed $ 7.217 million for the fifth year of his 2022 rookie contract.
“We’re still working on it, but I’m open to everything,” Schoen said. “Such as whether a player is exchanged for a player; I will listen to everyone. If several players are exchanged – I will not say the whole list, [that] we are open to work throughout the list. But if someone will call and is interested in any of our players. I will definitely listen.
“We are again in a situation where, unfortunately, we have to go below the pay ceiling. I will definitely listen and be open to the situations that are best for the New York Giants. “
Schoen had a much different tone when asked specifically about quarterback Daniel Jones and broadcaster Kadarius Tony, last year’s first-round pick from the University of Florida who struggled to stay on the field due to injuries.
Their future looks more secure with the Giants, even if the team points out that a decision has not yet been made on Jones’ fifth year. This is due this spring.
“We will be competing everywhere, but Daniel Jones is our starting quarterback at the moment,” said Schoen.
This echoed the comments of Schoen and new coach Brian Dabol during their inaugural press conferences, when they indicated that the violation would be built around Jones’ skill set.
Tony, 23, was the 20th overall pick last year alone. He had 39 assists on 420 yards in 10 games (four starts) as a rookie. They are also looking forward to becoming part of the new offense.
“I don’t think Kadarius is a changeable figure,” Schoen told the young playmaker. “Again, if someone calls, we will listen to him. He is a good, young player that our coaches really like. We are in constant contact with him and we are excited to see what he can do.”
Nevertheless, there will be some remarkable moves. Schoen wants to release about $ 40 million in restraint space over the next few weeks.
Cornerback James Bradbury ($ 21.8 million per cap), title and Kyle Rudolph ($ 7.4 million) and player Riley Dixon ($ 3.12 million) are among the players who can be transferred. Wide successor Sterling Shepard ($ 12.5 million), who is recovering from an Achilles’ injury, is another contract that can be adjusted or addressed.
“Soon,” Schoen said, when asked when the reduction of the ceiling would begin, noting that it would begin before the free agency opens in just over two weeks.
Meanwhile, the giants have many contingency plans. There are several ways in which Schoen’s goal can be achieved.
Barkley may be the biggest name to fall victim to the victims of the cap. He had a total of 2,028 yards as a rookie. He had 2,391 in the three seasons since then, largely due to injuries. It was a sprain of his right ankle in 2019, a torn ACL the following year and a problem with his left ankle last season. This greatly affected its production and value.
But the Giants still think Barkley is a great player … when he’s healthy. If he stays on the team, he will be a big part of the attack.
“I think if you have good players, you try to take the ball in their hands as much as possible. Whoever it is – running back, tight end, successor, “Dabol said. “Sakuon is a good player for us. We will do our best to try to put him in a good position.”