Jordan Raanan, ESPN Staff Writer 2y

Saquon Barkley's big game a reminder of why the Giants still believe in him

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- Finding a positive for the New York Giants after their 29-3 loss against the Chicago Bears in Week 17 is the equivalent of digging for spare change in a trash heap. It has been that kind of season for New York, but running back Saquon Barkley did deliver his best game in more than two years Sunday.

He ran for 102 yards on 21 carries in Chicago. He ran hard, didn't stutter-step in the backfield for losses and looked pretty explosive. It was undoubtedly a step in the right direction for a career that had stunningly veered off track.

It also should be a reminder Barkley is not done yet. He might have hit a rough patch in his career, but there is time left for this to work out.

Even in New York.

"I know this guy has worked through a lot of things," coach Joe Judge said of Barkley. "He has dealt with different injuries throughout the year. He's played hard through a lot of things. I've seen a lot of toughness and grit from him this year.

"In terms of what next year brings, we'll have to see when it comes, but I know he's going to work, train and put himself in the position to have the best year possible."

The Giants (4-12), who finish their season at home Sunday (1 p.m. ET, Fox) against the Washington Football Team (6-10), need to cross their fingers and hope next season is better than what just unfolded. Barkley has rushed for 563 yards and two touchdowns on 151 carries during a frustrating year. Even when he seemed to be getting healthy in Week 4, an overtime win against the New Orleans Saints, he injured his ankle the following week against the Dallas Cowboys.

It was somewhat fitting Barkley's first 100-yard rushing game since Week 16 of the 2019 season came at Soldier Field, the site of the knee injury that derailed his career in Week 2 last season. The place where things really started going downhill for him could potentially serve as the jumping-off point as he reestablishes himself as a significant player in the league. Things truly could come full circle.

"Coming here and to be able to have a 100-yard game ... where the injury happened and kind of made my career go backwards a little bit, it does feel good," Barkley said after the game. "It feels like a monkey came off my back."

There is no doubt Barkley has been hearing the criticism and doubters. He even said in a recent radio interview the haters should "make sure you stay on that side of the table when things flip around."

Even this small taste of success in a blowout loss feels good.

It's a nice story but should not be the primary takeaway. This past Sunday should serve as a reminder Barkley might not be the star everybody thought he would become during his rookie year in 2018, but he's still capable of being a good player who could help this offense get back on track. Next year and, potentially, into the future.

Barkley, 24, will be another year removed from the torn ACL in his right knee. He will also have an entire offseason to train and for the nagging Week 5 ankle injury to heal.

There are reasons for realistic optimism. The problem is some fans and pundits refuse to see any middle ground. He's either a massive bust or a generational talent stuck on a bad team. But things change fast in the NFL, and maybe it's time to recalibrate expectations.

Despite the struggles this season (his 3.7 yards per carry is tied for 41st among the 49 qualifying running backs) and most of the past three years, it seems unlikely Barkley is done being a quality starter. A top 5 running back? That might be a bit much. But the range of outcomes seem to favor him being a good, not great or terrible, running back.

It's a matter of getting healthy, something he struggled with much of this season.

That is why it has never made sense for the Giants to demote Barkley and put him behind Devontae Booker in the rotation, even if Booker has been more successful (4.2 yards per carry). It was never an option to shut Barkley down completely. That would have been counterproductive. Barkley needs to play and work through the physical rust.

These final few weeks have been about the Giants finding a way to maximize what they have in Barkley. This version remains part of their future -- for better or worse -- for at least another year at just over $7 million.

And his performance in Chicago provides hope he can still play at a high level.

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