Giants Add Singletary After Losing Barkley to Eagles

After losing star running back Saquon Barkley to their NFC East rival Philadelphia Eagles, the New York Giants wasted no time finding his replacement, agreeing to a three-year, $16.5 million contract with former Houston Texans starter Devin Singletary. The deal could be worth up to $19.5 million with incentives.

Singletary, 26, is coming off a career year in Houston where he rushed for 898 yards, easily his personal best across five NFL seasons. While not a true workhorse back like Barkley, Singletary has been a reliable complementary runner, topping 775 yards in three of his four years with the Buffalo Bills before joining the Texans.

His connection to Giants head coach Brian Daboll, who was previously the offensive coordinator in Buffalo during Singletary’s tenure there, likely played a big role in New York’s interest. Daboll is quite familiar with Singletary’s strengths as an aggressive one-cut runner capable of creating yards after contact.

For the Giants, Singletary represents a cost-effective replacement for Barkley, who commanded a three-year, $36 million pact from the Eagles after two Pro Bowl seasons in New York. The 2018 Offensive Rookie of the Year was unable to agree to a long-term extension with the Giants before hitting free agency.

While not the same caliber of dynamic playmaker, Singletary should provide solid production in New York’s backfield, especially when paired with a capable receiving threat out of the backfield. The Giants may look to add further running back depth through the draft or remaining free agents.

Keeping their offense productive without Barkley will be critical for the Giants as they look to build on last season’s surprise playoff appearance. Singletary has a prime opportunity to serve as the lead back after several years as a secondary option in Buffalo and Houston.

His performance could go a long way in determining whether New York’s running game remains a strength in the wake of Barkley’s departure to a division rival. The Giants are betting on Singletary’s familiarity with Daboll’s system translating to continued development at this stage of his career.

Barkley leaving stings, but the Giants responded swiftly by bringing aboard a potential starting-caliber replacement they believe can lessen the impact of that major loss. Now it’s up to Singletary to prove he can handle taking over as the lead runner in New York’s backfield.