The New York Giants made a strategic decision this offseason by passing on a big-money contract extension for Saquon Barkley. Instead, the 27-year-old running back signed a three-year, $37.7 million deal with $26 million guaranteed, but not with the Giants—he joined the division rival Philadelphia Eagles.
The move stung Giants fans, especially after managing partner John Mara’s viral clip, where he suggested he would have trouble sleeping if Barkley signed with the Eagles. That nightmare became a reality, forcing general manager Joe Schoen to find a new solution for the team’s backfield.
The Pivot to Devin Singletary
In response to Barkley’s departure, the Giants pivoted quickly, signing former Buffalo Bills and Houston Texans running back Devin Singletary to a three-year, $16.5 million deal with $9.5 million guaranteed. While Singletary may not have the same star power as Barkley, his contract offers the Giants substantial savings, especially in terms of guaranteed money. Singletary, like Barkley, is 27 years old, but the Giants managed to secure him for a more team-friendly deal.
Singletary’s Strong Start in New York
So far, the decision to sign Singletary seems to be working in the Giants’ favor. Through the first two weeks of the season, Singletary has carried the ball 26 times, accumulating 132 rushing yards, one touchdown, and one fumble. He’s averaging an impressive 5.1 yards per carry and 3.5 yards after contact, forcing 10 missed tackles in Week 2 against the Washington Commanders alone.
Comparing Singletary to Barkley
On the other side, Barkley has posted solid numbers for the Eagles, rushing for 208 yards and two touchdowns on 46 attempts. He’s averaging 4.5 yards per carry and 3.57 yards after contact, while forcing nine missed tackles, including seven in Week 2 against the Atlanta Falcons.
Based on the early-season metrics, Singletary is putting up comparable statistics to Barkley, if not slightly better in terms of yards per carry and missed tackles. Singletary currently ranks second in the NFL in missed tackles forced with 12 and leads all qualified running backs with a 46.2% avoided tackle rate.
Giants’ Backfield Depth and Offensive Line Progress
The Giants still have high hopes for other players in their backfield, including Oklahoma product Eric Gray and newly drafted Tyrone Tracy, a converted receiver from Purdue. However, Singletary has quickly commanded respect as the team’s lead back, starting the season on a positive note.
With the Giants’ offensive line showing significant improvement, the team hopes Singletary can continue building on his early success. Meanwhile, the passing game appears to be trending in the right direction, with quarterback Daniel Jones rebounding in Week 2 and focusing on rookie wide receiver Malik Nabers as his primary target.
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Moving Forward: Ground Game and Feeding Nabers
Looking ahead, the Giants’ offensive strategy will likely center on running the football and getting the ball to Nabers. Developing creative route concepts for Nabers to exploit opposing defenses will be crucial as the Giants try to turn their season around. If Singletary continues to deliver strong performances and the passing game gains momentum, the Giants could be in a much better position than initially expected following Barkley’s departure.