Barkley enters his sixth season as arguably the most successful and important player in the Giants.
Last year, Barkley was instrumental in the Giants’ resurgence, which included nine regular-season wins, the team’s first playoff berth since 2016 and their first postseason win in 11 years.
He started in each of the first 16 games of the regular season before being one of numerous inactive regulars at the season finale in Philadelphia, the first time Barkley did not miss a game through injury since his 2018 rookie-of-the-year season. Barkley was selected for his second Pro Bowl and was one of three players nominated for the NFL Comeback Player of the Year award.
Barkley finished his career with a total of 295 carries for 1,312 yards – the fourth-highest total in the NFL – and managed ten touchdowns, one fewer than his career best as a rookie. He had 133 more tries, 719 more yards and eight more rushing touchdowns than he produced in 13 games in 2021. Barkley ran for a touchdown in 10 of his 16 games, plus two in the postseason. With 57 receptions for 338 yards, he tied with Richie James in the team lead and ranked seventh in the NFL with 1,650 scrimmage yards, nearly double his 2021 total of 856.
Barkley was the only player to lead his teams in rushing and receiving, along with Rhamondre Stevenson of New England and Austin Ekeler of the Chargers.
He was elected team captain for the fourth year in a row.
In five seasons, Barkley has started in all 60 regular-season games and two postseason games in which he played. His regular-season totals include 4,249 rushing yards on 954 carries (4.5 yards average) and 29 touchdowns, as well as 247 receptions for 1,820 yards (7.4 yards average) and eight scores. He has 6,069 scrimmage yards.
In the 2022 playoffs, Barkley has rushed for 114 yards on 18 tries (6.3 yards average) and two touchdowns, and caught seven passes for 77 yards and 191 yards off offense.
Barkley’s 6,069 scrimmage yards is the highest total for a player starting his career with the Giants in his first five seasons. Rodney Hampton held the previous record with 5,892 yards.
Barkley ended the 2022 season sixth on the franchise career rushing list, 389 yards behind Alex Webster. His 4,249 rushing yards is the second highest total in a player’s first five seasons in Giants history, behind Hampton (4,807).
*The Giants signed a free agent outside of linebacker Tashawn Bower.
Bower, 28, is a 6-5, 250-pounder who has played in 26 three-start regular-season games for Minnesota, New England and Las Vegas. He has 23 tackles (16 solo), 2.0 sacks and four tackles for loss. In 2022, Bower played six games for the Raiders.
A native of New Jersey, Bower played four seasons at LSU.
*Linebacker Elerson Smith (heel) missed/injured. Smith was selected in the fourth round of the 2021 draft and only played 13 games in two seasons due to injuries, including five last year. His totals included five tackles (one solo), two quarterback hits, six special teams tackles, and a forced fumble against special teams.
*Fullback defenseman Trenton Thompson was waived.
Thompson was signed as a rookie free agent last year and played in one game, Thanksgiving Day in Dallas.