NFL Rumors: Giants Eye Austin Ekeler, Tony Pollard amid Saquon Barkley Contract Buzz

The New York Giants are beginning to ponder a backfield without running back Saquon Barkley, according to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler.

Fowler reported the Giants "are still in the mix on a potential re-sign but are also looking at other options, such as Tony Pollard and Austin Ekeler."

Jordan Raanan of ESPN reported the Giants were dissuaded from applying the franchise tag to Barkley for a second straight season in part because of how many options are available.

Beyond Pollard and Ekeler, Josh Jacobs, who led the league in rushing yards in 2022, is a free agent along with Derrick Henry and D'Andre Swift. Raanan wrote how players in a lower tier at the position "could interest the Giants at a much more respectable price," with Zack Moss, Devin Singletary and Alexander Mattison specifically listed.

Raanan cited a source who said the Giants broadly "just don't see the value in investing $10 million in a running back." Not only does that raise doubts about a reunion with Barkley, but New York could also take itself out of the running for the other established vets.

Perhaps Pollard or Ekeler may hit the sweet spot of giving the Giants a ready-made replacement for Barkley while not going beyond the soft monetary limit they're setting.

Pollard ran for 1,000 yards for the second straight year in 2023, though his yards per carry fell from 5.2 to 4.0. He at least reaffirmed he can be a feature back in his first full season as the Dallas Cowboys' primary ball-carrier.

Ekeler, meanwhile, is trending in the wrong direction. He turns 29 in May after having set a career low for yards per carry (3.5) and totaled his fewest yards from scrimmage (1,064) since 2020. He nonetheless remains an effective pass-catcher, and his poor rushing totals could be attributed in part to the injuries across the Los Angeles Chargers offense.

Either would be a logical candidate to succeed Barkley.