No. Better yet: no, no no. That’s got to be the point of view for the NY Giants faithful when they even think about anything that’s going to help Tom Brady with another Super Bowl before he retires. The rivalry between the G-Men and TB12 is a fun one, but there’s no question New York will always have bragging rights.
Eli Manning and Tom Coughlin were able to take down Brady not once, but twice with the Super Bowl on the line. Recently, though, NFL insider Kristopher Knox said in a piece that Barkley should be on the trading block this season. Not only that, he said the ‘best fit’ would be a trade to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to join forces with Brady. If the football Gods are listening, they’ll never let that happen.
Saquon Barkley Giants trade rumors figure to keep growing this season
"“The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are ready to win now and could use another dual-threat running back after losing Ronald Jones II in free agency,” Knox wrote on the Bucs and Barkley. “Tampa has $10.5 million in cap space available and could afford to add Barkley as another outlet option for Tom Brady. Barkley’s contract situation may be easier to take for the Bucs than for other teams. Having Barkley on a one-year deal isn’t as much of an issue for a team that may enter a full-blown rebuild if Brady retires (for real, this time) next offseason.”"
While this could make a ton of sense for the Bucs, New York isn’t going to want to just wash its hand of Barkley just yet. After the former No. 2 overall pick had a major letdown for a campaign in 2021, there’s an unreal amount of optimism surrounding his game now that head coach Brian Daboll is in town and offensive coordinator Mike Kafka has joined him.
Barkley will play a major role in the offense this year, and the good old days of him recording plenty of receptions figure to return as well. Barkley has what it takes to get back to his Pro Bowl form under Daboll and Kafka. With Barkley long removed from his torn ACL, plus a totally new offensive line in East Rutherford, he’s got the potential to make that happen.
If you ask Giants fans, they don’t want the front office to give up on Barkley just yet. On top of that, the absolute last thing they’d want to see is for Barkley to suit up with Brady in Tampa Bay and then help him bring home another Super Bowl ring. A Barkley trade may or may not happen, but Schoen simply can’t let the Bucs be involved. Anyone but them, please.