In a surprising turn of events, the New York Giants have decided to part ways with their star running back, Saquon Barkley, signaling a shift in their approach to the backfield. The decision comes as the Giants sought to reallocate their resources, finding different avenues to enhance their roster.
A New Approach
Faced with the need for a running back in 2024, the Giants chose to move on from Barkley, redirecting the funds elsewhere. With a significant amount of money freed up, they considered adopting a running back-by-committee approach. Central to this strategy was their increased interest in former Eagles running back, D'Andre Swift, who delivered a career-high performance last season with 1,049 rushing yards at 4.6 yards per carry and earned his first Pro Bowl appearance.
Sources close to the Giants indicate a high regard for Swift. "From a physical talent standpoint," the Giants saw Swift as an asset who could "make up for some of the things they lost with Saquon." However, the road to acquiring Swift proved to be challenging, as he hails from Philadelphia, making it difficult to lure him away from his hometown team.
Swift's Journey
During his tenure with the Eagles, Swift emerged as the featured back mainly due to the struggles and eventual disappearance of fellow players Rashaad Penny and Kenneth Gainwell. Despite his rushing success, Swift's role in the passing game saw a decline, registering a career-low 39 catches for 214 yards, reflecting the Eagles' underutilization of his pass-catching abilities.
The Giants viewed Swift as a lead back who could thrive in a committee setup, yet they anticipated it would be hard to acquire him out of Philadelphia. Ultimately, Swift signed with the Chicago Bears on a three-year, $24 million deal. In line with the Giants' vision, Swift will pair with Khalil Herbert in Chicago's backfield, showcasing his dual-threat potential.
New Faces in New Places
While the Giants were unable to secure Swift, their offseason moves reflect a calculated strategy to strengthen their roster while managing financial flexibility. The Giants moved forward by signing Devin Singletary to a three-year, $16.5 million deal. Singletary will join a backfield alongside Eric Gray and Tyrone Tracy Jr., both of whom are fifth-round picks in consecutive years. This move allows the Giants to spend less money on running backs, thus allocating resources to other critical areas.
One significant area of investment was the offensive line, where the Giants signed Jon Runyan and Jermaine Eluemunor. Their goal: bolstering an area that can have a direct impact on the success of their running game — regardless of the personnel in the backfield.
Closing Deals
The Eagles, meanwhile, capitalized on the Giants' departure from Barkley, adding the star running back to their roster on a three-year, $37.5 million contract. This signing reinforces the Eagles' backfield, providing them with a proven talent to lead their rushing attack.
Although the Giants were unable to pry Swift away from Philadelphia, they have shown a clear intent to reshape their strategy and roster composition. Their moves reflect a deeper investment in a diversified backfield and a stronger offensive line, aiming to optimize performance and sustainability. Whether New York made a run at Swift or not, they aimed to reinforce their roster cohesively, signaling a meticulous approach to the new season ahead.