Report: Saquon Barkley communicating with C.J. Stroud about joining Texans

The noise around Saquon Barkley has become deafening.

The former 2018 No. 2 overall pick, NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year and two-time Pro Bowler is a pending free agent from the New York Giants and a popular pairing with the Houston Texans after a season where they struggled to run the ball.

Those rumors have only grown louder over the last week when Barkley followed quarterback C.J. Stroud, receivers Nico Collins and Tank Dell, running back Devin Singletary, and tight end Brevin Jordan on social media. He also liked tweets from Paul Wall pleading with the back to come to Houston.

On Sunday, KPRC reporter Aaron Wilson let it be known that Barkley’s interest with the Texans and their star rookie quarterback was more than simply having fun on social media.

#HoustonTexans #NFLCombine @KPRC2 discussion on Sports Sunday with @KPRC2RandyMc @KPRC2Ari pic.twitter.com/dMCJWNliBq

— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) February 26, 2024

“Saquon Barkley, it goes beyond him following guys on social media and hitting like,” Wilson said. “It’s a case of him communicating with top players, including C.J. Stroud, about a desire to play here. It is mutual, but they are keeping their options open.”

Wilson was quick to note that the team is open to bringing back incumbent starter Devin Singletary or exploring other options depending on how the market looks. This comes as no surprise, as Barkley is expected to be one of the more expensive free agents at the running back position this offseason.

Whether or not general manager Nick Casserio is able to reel in the Penn State product, it is an incredible turn of fortune for the Texans. A year ago, nobody could have ever imagined top free agents reaching out to the team, much less to their rookie quarterback after only one year.

Barkley joins Miami Dolphins cornerback Xavier Howard as a star player who who has made it public that he would be interested in joining the Texans. It’s unlikely they are the last.