Giants would be doing themselves a disservice by not exploring a Saquon Barkley trade

The New York Giants already informed running back Saquon Barkley that he wouldn't be dealt ahead of the Oct. 31 trade deadline, but after a disastrous start to the season, that could be a shortsighted decision.

The Giants gave away a win to the New York Jets on Sunday, blowing a 10-7 fourth-quarter lead to fall 13-10 in overtime, dropping to 2-6 on the season. It's clear the team won't make a second consecutive playoff appearance, especially since QB Daniel Jones is out with a neck issue and backup signal-caller Tyrod Taylor was hospitalized after injuring his rib cage during Sunday's game.

At the time of this article's publication, the Giants hold the third overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. To help ensure they land a top pick, which could be a franchise-changing talent, the Giants would be better off building for the future and selling at the deadline. While Barkley is the face of the team, New York would be doing itself a disservice not to field offers on the two-time Pro Bowler since he'd fetch the highest return of any player it could make available. 

The impending free agent's trade stock has never been higher after turning in his most impressive performance of the season against the Jets, amassing 128 yards on 39 touches. Barkley has played particularly well since returning from a high-ankle sprain that held him out of three games earlier this season and is averaging 99.3 rushing yards per contest since Week 6. 

If Barkley were put on the trade block, he'd be the unquestioned top running back and perhaps the most sought-after player up for grabs. Adding him to a championship contender could alter the outcome of Super Bowl LVIII, and the Giants could likely sell him for multiple draft picks indicative of that value despite the negative connotations around running backs in today's NFL. 

Perhaps giving up a key part of the team's identity and the possibility of losing the locker room because of it is why GM Joe Schoen has opted against a Barkley trade. Nevertheless, if the Giants aren't planning to re-sign Barkley this offseason, it'd be foolish not to try and get a return for the team's most valuable asset. Chances are a Barkley trade probably wouldn't have an adverse effect on the locker room, considering the players are aware of how his contract negotiations played out last offseason. 

Ultimately, it's still unlikely that Barkley has played his final game with the Giants. Although both sides claim they would like to stay together, it's in the franchise's best interest to part ways — and not doing so could be a decision Schoen later regrets.