The New York Giants’ decision to pass on a lucrative contract extension for star running back Saquon Barkley led to a surprising and painful offseason move for fans. Barkley, a fan favorite and key figure in the Giants’ offense, ended up signing a three-year, $37.7 million deal with $26 million guaranteed—not with the Giants, but with their NFC East rival, the Philadelphia Eagles.
This move was particularly tough for Giants supporters, especially after managing partner John Mara’s viral comments where he half-jokingly said he wouldn’t be able to sleep if Barkley ever signed with the Eagles. That unsettling prospect became a reality, leaving Giants general manager Joe Schoen with the challenging task of reshaping the backfield and finding a new direction for the team’s ground game.
Barkley’s departure not only strengthens a division rival but also puts more pressure on the Giants to find a dynamic replacement to maintain offensive balance. The move will likely be felt in future matchups, as the Giants grapple with the emotional and competitive impact of losing one of their top playmakers to a fierce rival.
The Pivot to Devin Singletary
In the wake of Saquon Barkley’s unexpected departure to the Philadelphia Eagles, the New York Giants acted swiftly by signing veteran running back Devin Singletary to a three-year, $16.5 million contract, with $9.5 million guaranteed. While Singletary doesn’t bring the same star power or explosive playmaking ability that Barkley offered, the Giants clearly prioritized value and financial flexibility in this move.
At 27 years old, Singletary matches Barkley’s age but comes at a more team-friendly price. His contract not only saves the Giants a significant amount of guaranteed money but also gives them a capable and versatile back. Singletary has been a steady contributor during his time with the Buffalo Bills and Houston Texans, known for his reliable rushing and pass-catching abilities out of the backfield.
While fans may still feel the sting of Barkley’s departure, the addition of Singletary helps maintain depth in the Giants’ running back room, allowing them to remain competitive while easing the financial burden that a long-term, big-money deal with Barkley would have created.
Singletary’s Strong Start in New York
The Giants’ choice to sign Singletary appears to be paying off thus far. Singletary has carried the ball 26 times through the first two weeks of the season, gathering 132 rushing yards, one touchdown, and one turnover. He’s imposing 10 missed tackles in just the first game of the season against the Washington Commanders, averaging an amazing 5.1 yards per run and 3.5 yards after contact.
Comparing Singletary to Barkley
Despite Saquon Barkley’s impressive early-season performance with the Philadelphia Eagles—208 rushing yards, two touchdowns, and an average of 4.5 yards per carry—Devin Singletary has quietly been just as effective, if not more so, for the New York Giants. Singletary has excelled in key areas such as missed tackles and yards per carry, making a strong case for the Giants’ decision to sign him.
Singletary’s 12 forced missed tackles place him second in the NFL, and his elite 46.2% avoided tackle rate leads all qualified running backs. These metrics highlight his ability to create extra yardage and evade defenders, suggesting that the Giants may have found a strong replacement for Barkley at a more affordable price.
While Barkley’s explosive playmaking is evident, Singletary’s consistent ability to avoid tackles and generate positive plays gives the Giants hope that they won’t miss too much of a step in their rushing attack. The comparison between the two will likely continue to be a storyline as the season progresses, but for now, Singletary is proving to be a valuable asset in his own right.
Giants’ Backfield Depth and Offensive Line Progress
The Giants remain optimistic about their backfield depth, with promising players like Oklahoma’s Eric Gray and newly drafted Tyrone Tracy—who transitioned from receiver at Purdue—joining the mix. Despite this, Devin Singletary has quickly established himself as the team’s lead back, starting the season strongly and earning respect with his performance.
With the offensive line showing noticeable improvement, the Giants are hopeful that Singletary can sustain his early success. The enhanced blocking should create more opportunities for him to exploit, potentially boosting his impact on the ground.
In addition to the running game, the passing attack is also showing signs of progress. Quarterback Daniel Jones bounced back in Week 2, with rookie wide receiver Malik Nabers emerging as a key target. This positive trend in both the running and passing games provides the Giants with a more balanced offensive approach, crucial for their success as the season unfolds.
Moving Forward: Ground Game and Feeding Nabers
As the season progresses, the Giants are expected to focus their offensive strategy on running the football effectively and maximizing the potential of rookie wide receiver Malik Nabers. Crafting innovative route concepts to exploit opposing defenses will be key in helping Nabers make a significant impact.
If Devin Singletary maintains his strong performance and the passing game continues to gain traction with Jones connecting well with Nabers, the Giants could find themselves in a much stronger position than anticipated after Saquon Barkley’s departure. A balanced offensive approach could help the team overcome early-season challenges and position itself for a successful turnaround.
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