Here’s where the Chicago Bears stand on Saquon Barkley

NFL free agency is quite literally right around the corner. The legal tampering window opens on March 11, with players formally putting pen to paper on March 13. We’ll soon learn where most of the big-name free agents will call home in 2024, including running back Saquon Barkley, who’s starred for the New York Giants since his rookie season in 2018.

The Chicago Bears are one team that’s often mentioned as a potential suitor, which, until now, has felt like nothing more than classic pre-free agency speculation.

The Athletic’s NFL insider Dianna Russini appeared on the Hoge and Jahns Podcast on Friday and confirmed that not only are the Bears interested in Barkley, but that they’ve also been in contact with his camp.

Translation? If Saquon Barkley’s asking price isn’t astronomical, the Bears are in play.

“Saquon Barkley has a pretty decent market,” Russini said. “I do think the Chicago Bears, who are in need of a running back, are in on Saquon. It’s just a matter of price.

“They’re having conversations with (Barkley’s) camp. That’s really good news for Bears fans because Saquon is still relatively young, he’s a great player, and the thing about Saquon is when he is healthy, he’s really good, and he’s a pretty phenomenal locker room guy.”

Putting running back valuation aside, adding a player with Barkley’s skill set at such a critical time in franchise history makes complete sense.

“If the Bears are going to do what I think most of us believe they’re going to do based on talking to a lot of people around the league, which is draft Caleb Williams there at that No. 1 spot, what better thing to do than give him a running back like Saquon Barkley, a veteran there to help the ground game,” Russini said.

Khalil Herbert and Roschon Johnson are currently slated to be the Chicago Bears” 1A and 1B at running back in 2024. With all due respect to both of them, a player like Barkley would represent a massive upgrade for several reasons.

First, Saquon Barkley is a more explosive runner. Second, he’s a better receiver. And, third, he’s a better pass protector.

Simply put, Barkley would be an offensive weapon for a Bears team that’s desperate for them. It certainly sounds like Ryan Poles knows he needs more ammunition on offense to compete with the Detroit Lions and Green Bay Packers, making Barkley the (big) apple of his eye.