NEWSLETTER
For the second time in as many years, Saquon Barkley is popping up as a potential Chicago Bears offseason target.
But unlike last year, the running back is actually in a position to make it to free agency.
The New York Giants did not extend the Franchise Tag to Barkley this offseason, which allows the talented running back to reach unrestricted free agency unless he and the Giants agree to a deal before March 13. If (and it is still an if at this point) Barkely hits free agency, it sounds like the Bears will be kicking the tires.
USA Today NFL reporter Tyler Dragon lists the Bears, Baltimore Ravens, Las Vegas Raiders, Houston Texans, Philadelphia Eagles, and Los Angeles Chargers as teams with rumored interest in Barkley. Pat Leonard of the New York Daily News hears similar names, while also adding the New England Patriots as among the teams considered to be among the “primary suitors” for the talented RB. In other words, don’t go printing those Barkley-to-Chicago shirts just yet.
But still … rumors of the Bears’ interest in Barkley are interesting — especially coming off the heels of reporting from The Athletic’s Kevin Fishbain and Adam Jahns. In their story, running back is mentioned as a position that people at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis thought the Bears could target in free agency.
For what it’s worth, Chicago’s ground game ranked first in yards, second in rush scores, and fifth in yards per carry. So targeting a running back might not seem like a high priority for the Bears. But if the team moves on from quarterback-slash-leading rusher Justin Fields, then that group could take a step back. And that wouldn’t be good for an offense that is otherwise well-positioned to welcome a rookie quarterback.
Saquon Barkley makes sense as a Bears target
With all due respect to Khalil Herbert and Roschon Johnson, there was a missing element in last year’s ground game. Herbert was explosive, but inconsistent (and a non-factor for most of the year as a receiver). Johnson was steady as a rookie in 2023. But he didn’t flash much with splash plays. Barkley has shown he can do it all when healthy. Maybe an escape from New York is exactly what he needs.
Analytically leaning fans might not dig the idea of spending big bucks on a running back. And, to an extent, I get it. Every dollar counts in a salary-capped league. With teams churning through running backs, putting a significant financial commitment on one player feels risky. But Saquon Barkley isn’t just another running back. Barkley has three 1,000-yard rushing campaigns, three years in which he’s scored at least 10 total touchdowns, and four seasons with at least 1,200 scrimmage yards. And he’ll play the 2024 season at age 27.
Let it be known this isn’t the first time we’ve seen Saquon and the Bears linked on the rumor mill. There was a small bit of buzz last year after ESPN’s Dan Graziano made the connection of Barkley and the Bears being an ideal fit. But the Giants tagging Barkley snuffed out that idea before it could truly take off. However, here were are a year later and Chicago’s football team could still use a dual-threat explosive back in the offense.
In the end, it might not even be Barkley. This group of free-agent running backs includes D’Andre Swift, Austin Ekeler, Tony Pollard, Josh Jacobs, and Derrick Henry are also free agents. Teams looking for a back have no shortage of options. Perhaps the Bears should be one of the teams checking in on those options.
Barkley ranks 30th on Pro Football Focus’ list of 2024 free agents. PFF projects Barkley to get a three-year contract worth $36 million that includes $18.5 million guaranteed. That might seem like a lot. And it might feel like a zag to spend at running back when everyone else is zigging by avoiding that path. But last year, we watched the Bears splurge on free-agent linebackers Tremaine Edmunds and T.J. Edwards while other teams were scaling back on paying high-profile off-ball linebackers. But perhaps targeting impact players at what are perceived to be non-premium positions is a way for the Bears to add impact talent and get better as a team but at a cheaper price.
Hey, don’t give me that look. Every dollar counts when you’re trying to build a multi-billion dollar stadium.
