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If Tyrone Tracy Jr. turns out to be better in 2025 than he was in his revelatory 2024 rookie season, the Giants may want to credit their former face of the franchise for it.

Saquon Barkley has had at least a small hand in the development and confidence level of the second-year Big Blue running back.

When Tracy fumbled on the first possession of overtime, leading to a 20-17 loss to the Panthers in Germany last November, he left the field in tears, inconsolable after costing his team a potential precious victory amid an utterly miserable season.

By the time the Giants returned to New Jersey, awaiting Tracy was a message from Barkley, a widely popular player whom the team had controversially let walk in free agency after the 2023 campaign.