Saquon: 'I've got a lot to prove' entering contract year

New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley is ready to prove he can be the star he was projected to be when he entered the league.

"My mindset from the last two years, to be honest, I just want to kill, go crazy," Barkley said Wednesday, according to Ralph Vacchiano of SNY. "I don't want to jump the gun. It's a long way before September and we start the regular season. To be honest, I'm just tired of whatever is written about me, the BS that's said about me or this team. I want to go out there and prove to this organization that the player they drafted is still there."

"I feel like I've got a lot to prove," Barkley added.

Barkley had a breakout rookie campaign in 2018, racking up a league-leading 2,028 scrimmage yards and being named Offensive Rookie of the Year.

However, multiple injuries - including a torn ACL suffered during the 2020 season - limited Barkley to 15 contests over the past two seasons. He tallied 856 scrimmage yards (593 rushing, 263 receiving) and four total touchdowns in 2021.

The tailback's name surfaced among possible trade candidates in February, when general manager Joe Schoen expressed willingness to field calls from other clubs for anyone on the Giants' roster during the NFL Scouting Combine.

Barkley said his phone "blew up" with messages and that he initially thought he'd been traded as the club sought to improve its cap space. He added that Schoen and head coach Brian Daboll later called to reassure him they weren't shopping him, according to North Jersey's Art Stapleton.

The 2018 No. 2 pick is set to earn $7.2 million entering the final year of his rookie contract.