Giants RB Devin Singletary on taking over for Saquon Barkley: 'I'm just gonna be me'

Devin Singletary might be sporting Saquon Barkley‘s vacated No. 26 in New York, but he’s not concerned with living up to his predecessor.

Heading into the 2024 season without Barkley on their roster for the first time in six years, the Giants will see Singletary’s strategy to dominate the backfield continue as he maintains his usual pace.

“I’ve been in the league just like him,” Singletary said, via the New York Post’s Steve Serby. “He’s only been in the league a year before me. … I feel like I’m a playmaker like him, so … I’m just gonna be me. It’s been going well for me since I’ve been in the league, so that’s what I’m gonna keep doing.”

It’s little wonder Singletary is confident in ability to deliver for Big Blue. He’s coming off a career-high 898 rushing yards in 2023 for the Texans after amassing 200-plus carries for the first time in five NFL seasons. His offseason signing with New York makes him the undisputed leader in a running back room that otherwise consists of Eric Gray, Jashaun Corbin, Dante Miller and fifth-round rookie Tyrone Tracy Jr.

Singletary is also reuniting with head coach Brian Daboll, who served as his offensive coordinator for three years in Buffalo, and he’s set to play behind a line that was invested in well during free agency.

While Singletary may not be as dangerous as Barkley in the passing game or as explosively dynamic overall, he has demonstrated his competency when given the chance. In fact, he has even averaged more yards per carry than his peer, with a career average of 4.6 yards compared to Barkley’s 4.3.

Considering Barkley’s fame and his move to the rival team, the Eagles, comparisons between the two teams’ backfields are inevitable at various points throughout the season.

However, Singletary believes that the emerging storyline should not influence New York’s ultimate goal.

“Ball out and win games, I believe that’s the most important thing,” said Singletary. “Our focus has always been on winning games.”

“We aren’t particularly concerned about ‘The Shadow of Saquon’ or anything like that. Our main focus is simply to find ways to win games.”

In 2023, Barkley and the Giants frequently fell short, reverting to a mere six victories following an unexpected playoff appearance the previous year.

If Singletary leads New York to accumulate enough victories for a playoff return in 2024, it will be of little significance who his predecessors were.