Saquon Barkley rumors: Where could he land in free agency?

Saquon Barkley (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)

Saquon Barkley is officially a free agent after the franchise tag window passed on Tuesday.

New York Giants general manager Joe Schoen stuck to his word, having implored that he did not want to use the tag for a second-straight year on the star running back. The two sides failed to reach an agreement on a long-term deal during negotiations at the NFL Combine last week.

While Barkley constantly broadcasted that he wanted to remain a Giant for the remainder of his career, he now has the opportunity to sign with a new team when the new league year begins on March 13. 

The 27-year-old will headline a deep class of free-agent running backs, which also includes Derrick Henry and Josh Jacobs.

Here are five places where he could call home in 2024:

Houston Texans

The Texans have roughly $70 million in cap space and the other major playmakers of their offense checked off. CJ Stroud is one of the best young quarterbacks in the game and he has two young receivers under control in Nico Collins and Tank Dell. Barkley and Stroud have been in touch throughout the offseason and, according to Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 in Houston, the running back has tabbed the Texans as his “top potential destination.”

Dallas Cowboys

If this is not a move that Jerry Jones would love to make, we’re not sure what it would be. Not only would he have an opportunity to pluck one of the faces of a divisional rival, but he’d help boost an already impressive Cowboys offense that simply does not know how to produce when it matters most in the playoffs. Desperation is surely sinking in, so a big move such as this could help ease anxieties. 

Cincinnati Bengals

They’ll have to use a portion of their $60 million in cap space to lock down superstar wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase, but this is a Bengals team that’s on the precipice of a legitimate run toward a title. Joe Burrow is a top-tier quarterback, Chase is amongst the best…