The Facts: Barkley and Browns receiver Odell Beckham Jr. are in similar spots. Both are rehabbing torn ACLs and are using each other as resources in the process. The former Giants teammates speak regularly, and they plan to get together to rehab and train this offseason. "Only thing I do know that I have planned for sure, I'm definitely going to link up with [Odell]," Barkley told ESPN. "Obviously Odell tore his knee a little too. I think we both need just being there. We're really good friends. Competing with each other and pushing each other will also be good too. That's the only thing I know for certain I will do. Everything else is up in the air."

Diehards Line:Barkley had surgery on his right knee Oct. 30 in Los Angeles. Beckham needed his left knee repaired Nov. 10 in Florida. So they are not far off as they try to get back to 100 percent for next season. Barkley, 23, has been rehabbing at the Giants' facility in East Rutherford, New Jersey, and praised the work he has done with physical therapist/director of rehabilitation Leigh Weiss and the rest of the team's staff. That will continue until the NFL finalizes its offseason plans sometime around the Super Bowl. But at some point, he will take his training to the West Coast, where Beckham is stationed. The two have been close ever since Barkley was drafted by the Giants in 2018, and they remained friendly even after Beckham was traded the next year. "We definitely talk, whether it is on the phone or playing 'Call of Duty.' Obviously probably played a little more of that than I would have liked to this year," Barkley said. ... More than any of us would have liked.