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NY Giants’ hot seat tracker: Taking temperatures entering 2021

By Danny Friedman

(from left) New York Giants CEO John Mara, new head coach Joe Judge, co-owner Steve Tisch, and general manager Dave Gettleman pose for photos at MetLife Stadium on Thursday, Jan. 9, 2020, in East Rutherford.Ny Giants Joe Judge
(from left) New York Giants CEO John Mara, new head coach Joe Judge, co-owner Steve Tisch, and general manager Dave Gettleman pose for photos at MetLife Stadium on Thursday, Jan. 9, 2020, in East Rutherford.Ny Giants Joe Judge /
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NY Giants, Saquon Barkley
New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley (Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports) /

NY Giants Running Back: Saquon Barkley

Hot Seat Temperature: Medium

Saquon Barkley is on the hot seat for different reasons than most names listed here.

Barkley hasn’t been a problem on the field or in the locker room. His hot seat debate lies in his injury history, his positional value, and his long-term outlook with the NY Giants.

Barkley has missed multiple games in two of his first three seasons. Barkley has dealt with soft tissue injuries that nagged him and lingered into both his rookie and second seasons. In year three, all hell broke loose as Saquon’s knee was unstabilized with a torn ACL.

Barkley’s talent is not in question. His impact on the offense, his ability to help the team win games, and whether he’s worth a long-term expensive contract at a position becoming more and more devalued in today’s NFL is very much in question.

Barkley was a No. 2 pick and was called a ‘gold jacket player’ by his own GM. The expectations were sky high and the hopes of how he’d change the NY Giants’ offense went through the roof. In three seasons, Saquon hasn’t helped change the NY Giants’ fortunes in the win/loss column, the offense hasn’t improved much, and he hasn’t stayed healthy.

Barkley has already missed the entire offseason while rehabbing his ACL. Saquon is eligible for a contract extension, but the team is in no rush to negotiate until they see how he looks on the field and how he handles his return to football come September. Barkley needs to prove to management he can stay healthy, he can still be effective, and he’s still the same explosive athlete that is one of the NFL’s top home-run threats from the backfield to be a part of the team’s future plans.

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