How Saquon Barkley went from ‘Giant for Life’ to division rival Eagles

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ — Sitting at MetLife Stadium watching the New York Giants take on the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday night was a young boy wearing a blue No. 26 Saquon Barkley jersey. A few seats away was a man in his 20s also wearing a blue Giants 26 jersey, except Barkley’s name was taped with a makeshift “Singletary” written on the back.

This is the tricky situation that exists for Giants fans. Running back Devin Singletary, in his first season with the Giants, now wears number 26 for New York. Barkley, the star running back who was the face of the franchise for the previous six seasons, left to join the rival Philadelphia Eagles as a free agent in March.

The decision sparked an outcry. Former Giants running back Tiki Barber said on his WFAN radio show at the time, “You’re dead to us!” The ironic comment seemed to speak for a large portion of fans on social media, where the nickname “Snaquon Barkley” originated.

Barkley took offense and fired back at Barber. He didn’t seem to appreciate the backlash after making what he saw as a business decision. He received several million dollars more in guaranteed money ($26 million total) than the Giants had offered during their nearly two years of negotiations, dating back to the bye week of the 2022 season.

New York general manager Joe Schoen never officially offered Barkley a contract this past offseason. This led to the much-talked-about scene on HBO’s “Hard Knocks,” where owner John Mara said he was “going to have trouble sleeping if Saquon went to Philadelphia.”

The Giants were not happy that the framework of a deal was reached before the free agent negotiating window began, front office sources told ESPN. The Eagles didn’t understand why the Giants cared, considering they weren’t making a real effort to re-draft the player they drafted No. 2 in the 2018 NFL Draft.

That brings us to Week 7, when Barkley, no longer a fan favorite, returns to MetLife Stadium for the first time since signing with the division rival 90 miles south (1 p.m. ET Sunday, Fox) . Barkley has learned what it means to change sides in this rivalry – which began more than 90 years ago – built on moments like the Miracle at the Meadowlands. This should create an electric atmosphere full of bubbling emotions.

“I don’t expect a big reaction. I don’t expect to be booed,” Barkley said. “I look at it like this: The Philadelphia Eagles and the New York Giants have probably played over 200 games. This rivalry was there before me, and it will be there after me.”

BARKLEY IS BIG on visualization. It’s something he says he’s done his entire career.

So, before stepping onto the MetLife Stadium turf in a visitor’s uniform on Sunday, he will have photographed major scenes of the upcoming match with the intention of manifesting them.

“I’m pretty sure I’m going to visualize a long touchdown streak,” Barkley told ESPN, “playing out there. That goes a long way.”

One thing Barkley has a hard time imagining is any sort of overreaction from the Giants faithful.

“Maybe I’m naive, but I think it’s over. This chapter is closed,” he said before Week 6. “I really don’t care, and I’m pretty sure the fans don’t care anymore.”

While that may seem out of sync with general expectations for Sunday’s game, it speaks to the mindset he’s adopted since signing a $37.75 million free agent contract on three years with the Eagles this past offseason.

He acknowledged during his introductory press conference that it was “definitely a little different” to put on an Eagles hoodie for the first time and see his daughter, Jada, decked out in green gear after being on the “worse side of the rivalry”. I guess you could say, over the last couple of years. »

But this weirdness “definitely faded” over the weeks. He embraced the fresh start, saying he felt like a rookie again. He marveled at the talent alongside him, from Jalen Hurts to DeVonta Smith to AJ Brown. He immersed himself in the culture and actively worked to build relationships in the locker room – from facing Hurts on the squat rack to golfing with a host of teammates on their own time.

Seeing Barkley with wings on his helmet began to seem more normal to observers as time went on. He’s been a bright spot on a 3-2 Eagles team that hasn’t quite put it all together yet, ranking third in average rushing yards per game (96.4) with five total touchdowns. Barkley became the first player in franchise history to total more than 100 yards from scrimmage in each of the first four games earlier this year.

“I couldn’t tell you how many times I really shook my head and said, man, that was an unbelievable cut,” Eagles coach Nick Sirianni said after Barkley totaled 147 yards and two touchdowns against the Saints in Week 3. “And he makes these cuts at 230 pounds. Oh, on top of that, he makes these cuts at 4.3 speed. Who’s like him, you know what I mean?

“You see all the plays he makes, but what a teammate he is. He works his butt off…I can’t say enough good things about him.”

Giants fans have watched this unique skill develop over six seasons: Barkley racked up 2,600 rushing yards and 22 touchdowns at MetLife Stadium during his time in blue, and will have the chance to add to that on Sunday.

THERE ARE 110 players who have been on both the Giants and Eagles throughout their careers. They include quarterback Norm Snead, tight end Mark Bavaro, running back and kick returner Brian Mitchell, wide receiver Steve Smith and linebacker Carlos Emmons, to name a few.

None are Saquon Barkley. He is the rare star who has jumped directly from one rival to another during his career.

Giants left guard Jon Runyan Jr. understands the fine line between appreciation and vitriol. He grew up an Eagles fan — his father, Jon Runyan, was a Pro Bowl right tackle in Philadelphia from 2000 to 2008 — but knows his association with the other side of the rivalry doesn’t give him any free passes.

“If I was an Eagles fan, I would have loved it,” Runyan said of Barkley’s decision. “But if I was a Giants fan, I definitely would have felt betrayed.”

There is a player on the Giants’ active roster who played for the Eagles. Linebacker and special player Patrick Johnson, who played in 54 games for the Eagles from 2021-2024, including an appearance in Super Bowl LVII, was claimed off waivers several weeks ago. The Eagles have former Giants in Barkley, offensive lineman Nick Gates and receiver Parris Campbell.

Changing teams is more common today than it was 20 or 30 years ago. Free agency has certainly changed the landscape, as has the economy.

Barber, who says he likes Barkley personally and even recruited him for his Fantasy team despite his comments earlier this year, insists joining the Eagles is not a decision he would have made during his career as a footballer. player (1997-2006). He is the leading rusher in Giants history with 10,449 rushing yards, almost double what Barkley had in New York.

“The financial gap wasn’t the same as it is today. You were basically going to get the same thing no matter where you went or what you did,” Barber said. “It wouldn’t have made sense. In my day, the rivalry was real. It wasn’t like, ‘Oh, I know these guys. It’s cool.’ It was real. You hated them.

“Since the money wasn’t that big of a deal, it felt like it was worth it for the fans to stay.”

Five games with a different team, Barkley downplays the change.

“Nothing different. You learn the culture. You get used to the move. I guess it’s because I’m a high-profile guy or a well-known name in the league. [it gets more attention]but I’m not the first player to play for a division rival,” he said.

“[Cleveland linebacker] Devin Bush was with the Steelers. [Former Raven linebacker] Patrick Queen is now with the Steelers. [Safety] Geno Stone was with the Ravens and is now with the Bengals. It’s common. …It’s part of the NFL.

The Eagles running back remains linked to the Giants. His situation was closely monitored by his former locker room, and he remains in contact with several of his former teammates.

Giants quarterback Daniel Jones told ESPN the two “talk frequently” after years together on and off the field. Barkley texted Jones to keep his head up after a tough first game and to congratulate him on the Giants’ first win of the season in Week 3 at Cleveland.

Conversely, Jones and the Giants closely monitored Barkley’s performance in Philadelphia. Veteran wide receiver Darius Slayton reposted a clip of Barkley’s exploits on Instagram several weeks ago. Jones watched a game of Barkley in the Eagles green.

“It’s a little different. I was just used to being on the field with him, seeing him in Giants colors,” Jones said. “So yeah, seeing him in an Eagles uniform for the first time was a little different, that’s for sure.”

Barber believes Barkley’s return to MetLife will be met with mixed reactions. There will be those who respect what he has done in six seasons. But it’s possible that the vocal majority is expressing distaste for the new colors he’s wearing.

“It adds another layer to the rivalry,” Barber said.