Jonathan Stewart didn’t have a good time with the New York Giants. Some predicted Stewart to take the starting job while Saquon Barkley adjusted to the NFL, but things turned out very differently and Barkley became a dominant player while Stewart was put out of the season entirely by injury early on. The Giants didn’t pick up the option on Stewart’s contract, meaning that Stewart will soon be a free agent.
But despite that status, the former Giants and Panthers running back still has some things to say about Saquon Barkley, after having plenty of time to observe Barkley during his rookie year. While talking to WFNZ, Stewart compared Barkley to current Panthers back Christian McCaffrey, claiming that both players are the future of the position.
“You have a guy that everyone overlooks because of whatever the reasons are. He’s put up the numbers, he’s played every single down pretty much this past year, he can do everything on the field. Such as passing, catching, running, running routes, and breaking tackles. And you find those same things in Saquon Barkley. I think these two guys are a staple of what the NFL running back is and what it’s going to become.”
Barkley was involved in the passing game this year in addition to the ground game, finishing the season with 721 receiving yards and 4 touchdowns on top of 1,307 rushing yards. His 5.7 receptions per game was the second most in the league at the running back position, with only McCaffrey finishing with a higher number in that category. It’s also a higher number than some notable receivers registered, including Mike Evans, T.Y. Hilton, and Jarvis Landry.
“The game’s changing, and it’s changing for the good for that position being more involved in the passing game. Seeing guys coming out there running in the slot, running routes like receivers. That’s an important thing that’s needed in the game now from the running back position.”
Barkley was snubbed from the All-Pro teams last season despite finishing second in total rushing yards, but there’s no reason to believe that Barkley can’t compete for that status in 2019 if given some more help in the form of a better offensive line. Surely, pass catching will play a big role if Barkley does achieve even greater success this year.
While Stewart didn’t have a successful season, it’s hard to knock his take on this matter. The league is indeed changing. The versatility of Saquon Barkley only helps the Giants when it comes to adapting to that, and keeping up with the latest trends.