Coming into the 2023 offseason, rumors swirled that the Buffalo Bills were looking to make a splash offensively. Despite having an already dynamic offense, many people believed that adding another playmaker would help put this team over the top.
A second wide receiver to pair with star Stefon Diggs was suggested. DeAndre Hopkins of the Arizona Cardinals is reportedly who Diggs was hoping the team would add, but that never came to fruition. Even after he was released the Bills weren’t major players as he signed with the Tennessee Titans.
With training camp set to get underway in the coming days, the Bills remain without that playmaking upgrade. The relationship with Diggs is something that needs to be smoothed over as well as head coach Sean McDermott canceled the last day of mandatory minicamp after the distractions that were caused.
Could the Bills call a former team front office member to make a deal? Nathaniel Marrero of SI.com certainly believes so, as he suggested the Bills make a call to Joe Schoen and the New York Giants about running back Saquon Barkley.
Barkley and the Giants failed to come to a long-term contract agreement before the 4 p.m. ET deadline on Monday, which has now put his future in doubt. He has yet to sign his franchise tender and will not be reporting to the start of training camp. There have been rumors he may not be around for Week 1 of the season, either.
This is a situation that Marrero believes the Bills should take advantage of. Buffalo likely wouldn’t face much competition for him, should he be made available, as teams around the league have made their stance on the running back position very clear.
Given the current state of the Bills’ backfield, Barkley would be a huge upgrade. He has proven to be one of the best running backs in the NFL when healthy and would provide the team with a reliable option in the backfield to lean on more.
A trio of Josh Allen, Diggs and Barkley would be very difficult for opponents to game plan against and figure out a way to slow down. The Giants aren’t going to give Barkley away, but if the Bills come with a strong offer, something similar to what the Carolina Panthers received for Christian McCaffrey from the San Francisco 49ers, Schoen would have to think long and hard about it.
