Jordan Raanan of ESPN.com spoke with greater than a dozen managers, executives, coaches, scouts and brokers, and whereas there was in fact some variation of their responses, most anticipated that Barkley would land a contract price $10M per 12 months, with a three-year, $30M pact a seemingly possible consequence.
Given the notoriously stagnant operating again market, it’s truthful to wonder if any crew could be prepared to cough up that sort of cash to an RB with a regarding damage historical past who’s coming off a season by which he averaged 3.9 yards per carry. Nevertheless, the consensus amongst Raanan’s sources was that Barkley is sweet sufficient to warrant an eight-figure-per-year deal, with one professional personnel director saying, “If he was in San Francisco, he could be Christian McCaffrey. He hasn’t had an offensive line, ever, in New York.”
So, whereas Pat Leonard of the New York Every day Information reported that the Giants are among the many groups that don’t see worth in authorizing a $10M+ AAV for a operating again, it appears there will likely be no less than one different membership prepared to make that sort of dedication for a participant with Barkley’s capacity. Per Raanan, the Chargers, Ravens and Bears are among the many most critical suitors for Barkley’s providers.
The Chargers are one thing of a curious match right here. In spite of everything, the cap-strapped outfit is permitting its personal multi-threat RB, Austin Ekeler, test the market and is reportedly prepared to entertain trades for a few of its finest gamers so as to alleviate its wage cap points.
The Ravens are extra of a logical suitor. Earlier studies have instructed the crew will prioritize a running back addition, and given the significance of the bottom recreation to Baltimore’s offensive assault, a notable contract for a RB is extra justifiable for the Ravens than it will be for a lot of groups. That’s very true in gentle of the truth that Justice Hill and Keaton Mitchell — who suffered an ACL tear in Week 15 — are the one two backs at the moment underneath membership management.
The Bears, in the meantime, are prone to commerce quarterback Justin Fields and draft Caleb Williams with the No. 1 total decide. Having a QB1 on a rookie contract affords a crew luxuries that it won’t in any other case take pleasure in, and a splurge for a operating again who can also be adept as a receiver and who can due to this fact take the stress off a younger signal-caller in a number of methods makes loads of sense.
Whereas latest studies hinting at a Barkley-Eagles marriage have been intriguing due to Philadelphia’s divisional rivalry with the Giants, Raanan says neither the Eagles nor the Cowboys, one other NFC East foe, are prone to meet Barkley’s asking worth. Each of these groups might have RB wants, however they each appear ready to fill these wants through a distinct tier of the market. Dan Graziano of ESPN.com agrees that Dallas will unlikely become involved within the Barkley sweepstakes until he’s prepared to accept a $5M-$6M AAV, although a Tony Pollard re-up stays in play.
A February report indicated that the Texans have been Barkley’s preferred destination. With respect to Houston’s involvement, Raanan merely writes that the membership is rumored to have curiosity.
