PALM BEACH, Fla. – When he spoke to the media at the NFL Scouting Combine early this month, Joe Schoen was asked if Saquon Barkley would be included in a group of players he'd be willing to trade. The Giants' new general manager answered in part by saying, "we're open for business."
At the time, Schoen also stated: "we are not open for business on the entire roster."
That naturally led to rampant speculation the Giants would, if not necessarily looking to part with their star running back, be willing to do so if the stars aligned in their favor.
Schoen realized the firestorm those words might create and quickly reached out to Barkley.
"After I talked to you guys, but maybe an hour or whatever it was, I called him right away and he answered," Schoen told reporters Monday at the NFL Annual Meeting here. "We've had a great relationship since I've been here. I've got a really good relationship with his agent, and I spoke with her during the combine, too."
Schoen further clarified what he stated in Indianapolis.
"That was taken a little bit out of context at the combine," Schoen said. "I haven't called one team on Saquon Barkley, OK? Everybody ran with that from the combine, I said I would listen if people called on any player, so it would be irresponsible if I didn't. That doesn't mean I'm going to do every deal, so I haven't called one team on Saquon Barkley. I've gotten calls about a few of our players and he's one where a couple teams have reached out, but again, I'm not shopping Saquon Barkley."
Schoen won't guarantee that Barkley will be on the Giants' 2022 roster, but he would make the same statement about any player because general managers sometimes receive offers that are too good to refuse.
"It'd be irresponsible if a team calls - I think 31 other GMs would say the same thing - if somebody is going to call and offer you something ridiculous, you're going to listen," Schoen said. "It doesn't mean you're going to do any deal or you're going to say 'yes' to it. We've got an offensive head coach (Brian Daboll). He likes to have as many weapons and toys as he can.
"I like Saquon. We're at a little bit of an advantage here, the players are coming in in two weeks, so we're going to get around all these guys. Again, the guy was the number two pick in the draft for a reason. He's got a lot of talent and I'm looking forward to working with him."
View photos of every move made by the Giants during the 2022 offseason.
K Ryan Santoso - Waived
S Yusuf Corker - Waived
DB Olaijah Griffin - Waived
WR Keelan Doss - Waived
WR Travis Toivonen - Waived
OL Josh Rivas - Waived
T Eric Smith - Terminated, Vested Veteran, all contracts
WR Travis Toivonen - Free Agent Signing
K Ryan Santoso - Free Agent Signing
S Andrew Adams - Terminated, Vested Veteran, all contracts
WR Bailey Gaither - Waived, Failed Physical
TE Tanner Hudson - Free Agent Signing
C Chris Owens - Waived
DB Harrison Hand - Claimed (off Waivers from MIN)
WR Jaylon Moore - Claimed (off Waivers from BAL)
WR Collin Johnson - Reserve/Injured
WR Marcus Kemp - Reserve/Injured
TE Jordan Akins - Terminated, Vested Veteran, all contracts
WR Sterling Shepard - Passed Physical
LB Darrian Beavers - Reserve/Injured
TE Andre Miller - Reserve/Injured
TE Ricky Seals-Jones - Reserve/Injured
T Matt Peart - Reserve/Physically Unable to Perform
C Nick Gates - Reserve/Physically Unable to Perform
OL Chris Owens - Free Agent Signing
OL Josh Rivas - Free Agent Signing
WR Robert Foster - Reserve/Injured
DL Christopher Hinton - Waived
DB Gavin Heslop - Waived
TE Jeremiah Hall - Waived
WR Austin Proehl - Waived, Injured
DB Olaijah Griffin - Claimed (off waivers from BUF)
OLB Azeez Ojulari - Passed Physical
Michael Jacquet III - Waived
OL Josh Rivas - Waived
DB Jarrod Wilson - Terminated, Vested Veteran, all contracts
T Eric Smith - Free Agent Signing
T Matt Gono - Terminated, Vested Veteran, all contracts
G Marcus McKethan - Reserve/Injured
T Will Holden - Free Agent Signing
DE Niko Lalos - Waived
DB Nate Meadors - Claimed (off waivers from CLV)
LB Austin Calitro - Free Agent Signing
LB Justin Hilliard - Waived
OT Garrett McGhin - Free Agent Signing
OT Kamaal Seymour - Waived
TE Daniel Bellinger - Passed Physical
WR Sterling Shepard - Declared Physically Unable to Perform
T Matt Peart - Declared Physically Unable to Perform
C Nick Gates - Declared Physically Unable to Perform
LB Azeez Ojulari - Declared Non-Football Injury
DB Andrew Adams - Free Agent Signing
DE Nick Williams - Free Agent Signing
WR Marcus Kemp - Free Agent Signing
OT Kamaal Seymour - Free Agent Signing
DB Maurice Canady - Terminated, Vested Veteran, all contracts
WR Travis Toivonen - Waived, No Recall
DT Jabari Ellis - Waived, No Recall
DB Henry Black - Waived, No Recall
DB Gavin Heslop – Free Agent Signing
OT Korey Cunningham - Terminated, Vested Veteran, Non-Football Injury
TE Daniel Bellinger - Declared Physically Unable to Perform
DB Dane Belton - Selection List Signing
WR Wan'Dale Robinson - Selection List Signing
TE Daniel Bellinger - Selection List Signing
WR Keelan Doss - Free Agent Signing
G Joshua Ezeudu - Selection List Signing
CB Cor'Dale Flott - Selection List Signing
DB Michael Jacquet - Free Agent Signing
S Henry Black - Free Agent Signing
CB Maurice Canady - Free Agent Signing
CB Khalil Dorsey - Free Agent Signing
DE Jalyn Holmes - Free Agent Signing
OLB Kavyon Thibodeaux - Selection List Signing
T Evan Neal - Selection List Signing
LB Micah McFadden - Selection List Signing
DT D.J. Davidson - Selection List Signing
OL Marcus McKethan - Selection List Signing
LB Darrian Beavers - Selection List Signing
DE Ryder Anderson - Undrafted Free Agent Signing
RB Jashaun Corbin - Undrafted Free Agent Signing
LB Tomon Fox - Undrafted Free Agent Signing
TE Austin Allen - Undrafted Free Agent Signing
DB Darren Evans - Undrafted Free Agent Signing
G Josh Rivas - Undrafted Free Agent Signing
DT Jabari Ellis - Undrafted Free Agent Signing
FB Jeremiah Hall - Undrafted Free Agent Signing
DT Christopher Hinton - Undrafted Free Agent Signing
DB Trenton Thompson - Undrafted Free Agent Signing
DB Zyon Gilbert - Undrafted Free Agent Signing
DB Yusuf Corker - Undrafted Free Agent Signing
OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux - Selected in Round 1 (Pick No. 5) of 2022 NFL Draft
OT Evan Neal - Selected in Round 1 (Pick No. 7) of 2022 NFL Draft
WR Wan'Dale Robinson - Selected in Round 2 (Pick No. 43) of 2022 NFL Draft
OL Joshua Ezeudu - Selected in Round 3 (Pick No. 67) of 2022 NFL Draft
CB Cor'Dale Flott - Selected in Round 3 (Pick No. 81) of 2022 NFL Draft
TE Daniel Bellinger - Selected in Round 4 (Pick No. 112) of 2022 NFL Draft
S Dane Belton - Selected in Round 4 (Pick No. 114) of 2022 NFL Draft
LB Micah McFadden - Selected in Round 5 (Pick No. 146) of 2022 NFL Draft
DL D.J. Davidson - Selected in Round 5 (Pick No. 147) of 2022 NFL Draft
OL Marcus McKethan - Selected in Round 5 (Pick No. 173) of 2022 NFL Draft
LB Darrian Beavers - Selected in Round 6 (Pick No. 182) of 2022 NFL Draft
TE Jordan Akins - Unrestricted Free Agent Signing
OT Roy Mbaeteka - Free Agent Signing
OL Max Garcia - Unrestricted Free Agent Signing
RB Sandro Platzgummer - Free Agent Signing
WR Richie James - Unrestricted Free Agent Signing
DT Justin Ellis - Unrestricted Free Agent Signing
RB Matt Breida - Unrestricted Free Agent Signing
LB Jihad Ward - Unrestricted Free Agent Signing
OL Jamil Douglas - Unrestricted Free Agent Signing
LS Casey Kreiter - Unrestricted Free Agent Signing
TE Ricky Seals-Jones - Unrestricted Free Agent Signing
OL Mark Glowinski - Unrestricted Free Agent Signing
QB Tyrod Taylor - Unrestricted Free Agent Signing
OT Korey Cunningham - Unrestricted Free Agent Signing
OL Jon Feliciano - Free Agent Signing
DB Jarren Williams - Exclusive Rights Signing
WR Robert Foster - Free Agent Signing
WR C.J. Board - Signed, Prior to becoming a Free Agent
OL Matt Gono - Free Agent Signing
WR David Sills V - Signed
TE Chris Myarick - Free Agent Signing
WR Austin Proehl - Free Agent Signing
QB Davis Webb - Reserve/Future Signing
P Jamie Gillan - Reserve/Future Signing
RB Antonio Williams - Reserve/Future Signing
WR Alex Bachman - Reserve/Future Signing
DE Niko Lalos - Reserve/Future Signing
WR Travis Toivonen - Reserve/Future Signing
DT David Moa - Reserve/Future Signing
OT Devery Hamilton - Reserve/Future Signing
LB TJ Brunson - Waived, No Recall
DT Antonio Valentino - Waived
QB Brian Lewerke - Waived
DE Raymond Johnson III - Waived
DB Jordan Mosley - Waived
LB Trent Harris - Terminated, Vested Veteran, all contracts
LB Omari Cobb - Waived
OL Wes Martin - Waived
TE Jake Hausmann - Waived
TE Rysen John - Waived
CB James Bradberry - Terminated, Vested Veteran, all contracts
DB Logan Ryan - Terminated, Vested Veteran, all contracts
TE Kaden Smith - Waived
P Riley Dixon - Terminated, Vested Veteran, all contracts
RB Devontae Booker - Terminated, Vested Veteran, all contracts
TE Kyle Rudolph - Terminated, Vested Veteran, all contracts
*Another player whose name has surfaced in trade rumors is cornerback James Bradberry. That is primarily because his salary consumes a big chunk of the cap in an offseason in which the Giants are doing all they can to create additional space.
"He's currently on the roster," Schoen said. "He's a good corner who was a Pro Bowler two years ago (2020), and he's 28-years old and can still play at a high level and he's on our roster."
Answering a follow-up question, Schoen said he expected Bradberry to remain there. Does that mean he won't trade Bradberry?
"I'm not going to say that about anybody," Schoen said. "People have called about certain players and people have value. Again, like I said, he's 28-years old. He's two years removed from a Pro Bowl season. He's still a high caliber starting corner."
But…"If it's the right offer and it makes sense for the New York Giants, then I've got to consider (it)."
The Giants might have to get financially resourceful if Bradberry stays.
"I'll reflect back to what I said at the combine," Schoen said, "a last resort is converting and restructuring contracts, so there's ways we can get creative if we need to."
*Another decision looming for Schoen is whether to pick up Daniel Jones' fifth-year option, which would guarantee him an exorbitant salary in 2023. By not accepting the option, Jones would have the 2022 season to prove to Schoen and Daboll he is the team's quarterback of the future.
"We have until May 2 to decide that," Schoen said. "Like I said at the combine, we're going to still continue to develop that and consider that. With guys coming in in two weeks (for the start of the offseason program), it's a real advantage. We'll get to be around guys in the building for four weeks or three weeks before the draft and have a veteran minicamp right before the draft. Again, we'll continue to have those conversations as we move forward."
Defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence is also eligible to have his contract guaranteed for 2023.
"Same deal," Schoen said. "I'm still trying to get familiarized with our defensive staff and how they're going to utilize players. We've had some really productive conversations. I haven't worked with Wink (Martindale, the new defensive coordinator before). I haven't been in a 3-4 since probably my time down in Miami. Just trying to figure out what traits they're looking for in each player. Dexter's a really good player and we'll obviously have extensive conversations on what we're going to do there."
The Giants already made a decision on one of their prominent players from the previous two seasons when they released safety Logan Ryan, who quickly signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
"Best decision for the New York Giants," Schoen said. "We thought it was best talking with the new staff that that was the best. I wish Logan nothing but the best."
*Linebacker Blake Martinez (torn ACL) and wide receiver Sterling Shepard (ruptured Achilles tendon) both suffered serious injuries last season. Schoen expects them to return to the field in training camp.
"Both those guys are in there every day," Schoen said. "Both working hard. I see them at lunch every day. Two guys I really enjoy being around, leaders, busting their butt. I think Blake could be back before Shep, just because of the timeline of the injury, but I've been really impressed with both of them and their work ethic and the time that they're putting in.
"Hopefully by August, (they'll be on the field). Again, we're not going to rush them along. We don't play until September. Ease those guys along. Again, they're two professionals that understand their bodies, leadership, they understand their process. The goal is to have them on the field in August."
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