New York Giants star running back Saquon Barkley had his 2020 season cut short when he suffered from a torn ACL during the team’s Week 2 game against the Chicago Bears. As a result, he only played two games this season and finished with only 34 rushing yards and no touchdowns.
This marked the second consecutive year that he has missed games due to injury. In the 2019 season, Barkley was out for three games with a high ankle sprain. However, unlike this year in 2019, he returned to have a 1,000-yard rushing season.
Though he has been plagued by injuries, his successes during his time on the field are why co-owner John Mara and the New York Giants are keeping Barkley in mind for the future. The Giants are expected to exercise the fifth-year option on Barkley’s contract, but the question remains: what will happen after 2022?
There is no denying that Barkley is talented, but his recent injuries do lead to questions about his future with the team. However, Mara doesn’t seem very concerned.
“He’s such an important part of this team,” Mara told media concerning Barkley’s value to the Giants, on Pro Football Talk. “Not only for what he does on the field but the leadership and all of the intangibles he brings to us off the field. That [torn ACL] was really a gut-punch.”
There is no timetable for when Barkley will be back on the field, but Mara seems committed to keeping the franchise halfback around for the long-term future.
“Listen, I’m still happy that we have him. I think knowing him, he’s going to come back stronger than ever and be a big part of this team next year. In terms of what the time table is, it’s hard to predict that right now. I know our medical people are very pleased with the progress he’s made,” said Mara.
“I certainly expect him to be a Giant for a very long time.”
