KPRC2 Houston’s Aaron Wilson shared that the Houston Texans are Saquon Barkley’s preferred destination once he becomes a free agent. Wilson wrote:

“The headliner of the running back free agent class is New York Giants star Saquon Barkley, who has targeted the Texans as his top potential destination and has been communicating with Stroud, per league sources.”

Wilson also shared that Barkley constantly communicates with 2023 Offensive Rookie of the Year C.J. Stroud, although nothing has been discussed about his contract.

Barkley didn’t get a contract extension from the New York Giants after his rookie-scale contract and fifth-year option expired. Instead, the team that selected him second overall in the 2018 NFL Draft offered him the franchise tag. However, he agreed to an adjusted tag worth $10.091 million, which includes a $2 million signing bonus.

Under that contract, Barkley tallied 962 yards and six touchdowns. Reaching the 1,000-yard mark is possible if he did not miss three regular-season games and had better play from their offensive line. In 2022, he had the best season of his career, finishing with 295 carries for 1,312 yards and ten touchdowns.

Saquon Barkley is one of the high-profile running backs set to become a free agent once the 2024 NFL league calendar starts. Aside from the two-time Pro Bowler, Derrick Henry, Josh Jacobs, Austin Ekeler, and Tony Pollard are free to negotiate with NFL teams beginning March 11.

Barkley won the 2018 Offensive Rookie of the Year Award after finishing with 1,307 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns. Those numbers earned him a Pro Bowl selection. He has 18 carries for 114 yards and two touchdowns in two postseason games.

Meanwhile, Spotrac estimates his next contract at three years, $29.928 million, giving him an average annual salary of $9.9 million. He has earned an estimated $48.6 million in six NFL seasons.

-Lance Fernandez