Giants GM open to trade calls on Barkley, others
New York Giants general manager Joe Schoen doesn't consider running back Saquon Barkley untouchable in trade talks as the team looks to get under the salary cap.
"We're still working through that, but I'm open to everything," Schoen told reporters Tuesday at the NFL combine, according to Dan Salomone of Giants.com. "Whether it's trading player for player, I'll listen to anybody. If it's trading a couple of players, I'm not going to say we're open for business on the entire roster, but if anybody is going to call and they're interested in any of our players, I'll certainly listen.
"Again, we're in a situation where unfortunately we have to get under the salary cap and we're not in very good salary-cap health. I'm not going to say yes to every deal, but I'm definitely going to listen and I'll be open to the situations that are best for the New York Giants."
The Giants must clear roughly $12 million of cap space by March 16, which marks the beginning of the new league year. New York would obtain over $7.2 million in cap space by moving Barkley, who's been hindered by injuries since his phenomenal rookie campaign. The 2018 No. 2 pick is entering the fifth and final year of his rookie contract.
Schoen, who took over as GM on Jan. 21, said the Giants will start making decisions about how to reset their cap "soon."
Cornerback James Bradberry, linebacker Blake Martinez, and tight end Kyle Rudolph are among the other veterans who could be on the chopping block.
"There's a lot of contingency plans that weigh on some of the decisions that we're going to make," Schoen said. "We're getting together with some of the agents of the players on our current roster and starting some initial conversations on different things. But sooner than later, we'll start making the necessary moves to get under the salary cap and start planning for the 2022 season."
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