The New York Giants are entering a vast offseason after a very underwhelming season, and they may lose star running back Saquon Barkley in free agency next week. 

Barkley has been rumored to many teams, but one team that stood out is the Philadelphia Eagles.

WISTERIA
Mở bán chung cư The Wisteria gần Mỹ Đình. Chiết khấu 11%
TÌM HIỂU THÊM

The Giants and Eagles are division rivals, and former Giants running back Tiki Barber made a big statement on his WFAN radio show on Thursday about how he feels if Barkley would join the Eagles.

Former New York Giants Running Back Makes A Statement About Saquon Barkley Joining Division Rival - Gridiron HeroicsFeb 9, 2023; Phoenix, Arizona, US; Tiki Barber poses for a photo on the red carpet before the NFL Honors award show at Symphony Hall. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Barber stated, “Barkley even wanting to play for that team in Philadelphia is insulting to his Giant’s history and legacy.”

Barber spent all of his ten NFL seasons in a Giants uniform. He knows all about the Giants—Eagles rivalry and how that would impact Barkley if he were to head to the city of Brotherly Love.

Barber also stated that Giants general manager Joe Schoen has been having conversations with Barkley, but it doesn’t seem like it will work out.

Former New York Giants Running Back Makes A Statement About Saquon Barkley Joining Division Rival - Gridiron HeroicsDec 17, 2023; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley (26) warms up before the game against the New Orleans Saints at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports
Barber also mentioned that Giants fans still want to be happy for Barkley. If he were to end up on a team like Houston and win a Super Bowl, Giants fans would be very happy for him, but if he joined the Eagles, all of that happiness and desire to see Barkley do well would go away.

Many fans will never be able to stomach leaving your team and joining that team’s biggest rival, and Barber is entirely correct here.

The New York Giants And Barkley Are On Two Different Paths

It doesn’t make sense for the Giants and Barkley to agree on a contract. The Giants are in rebuild mode. They have to figure out if Daniel Jones can be their quarterback moving forward, and if not, then who will? Barkley has only a few years left in the NFL as a running back, and with his injury history, he could be done at any moment. He needs to capitalize on that opportunity right now.
Former New York Giants Running Back Makes A Statement About Saquon Barkley Joining Division Rival - Gridiron HeroicsOct 30, 2022; Seattle, Washington, USA; New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley (26) celebrates with guard Jack Anderson (77) and offensive tackle Andrew Thomas (78) after rushing for a touchdown against the Seattle Seahawks during the second quarter at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
Barkley is in the same boat as Christian McCaffrey, who was on a bad Carolina Panthers team two years ago. The San Francisco 49ers traded for him and helped turn the team into a legit Super Bowl contender. A playoff team that needs that upgrade in the running back room could sign Barkley and do the same thing that McCaffrey was able to do for the 49ers.

It does seem like Barkley’s time in a Giants jersey has ended, and hopefully, for Giants fans, he doesn’t end up a few hours away with Eagles wings on his next uniform.