Key Takeaways:
– Saquon Barkley hit back at New York fans for their ongoing animosity following his move from the Giants to the Philadelphia Eagles in 2024 NFL free agency.
– Barkley was booed by the Knicks fans during a game against the Philadelphia 76ers while seated next to Eagles’ wide receiver, A.J. Brown.
– Barkley reaffirmed his decision to join the Eagles instead of the Giants claiming that he never received an offer to return to the Giants.
– The Giants chose to extend a $160 million contract to Daniel Jones instead of Barkley, leading to Barkley exploring his other options.
Backlash Over Barkley’s Eagles Move Persists
New York Giants fan-favourite, Saquon Barkley, has found himself dealing with ongoing negative reactions over his 2024 NFL free agency move to the Philadelphia Eagles. The running back, disenchanted by the continued animosity from fans, recently took to social media to address the backlash.
Barkley was notably booed while attending an NBA game between the New York Knicks and the Philadelphia 76ers on May 2. He was watching the game alongside Eagles’ wide receiver A.J. Brown at Wells Fargo Arena. Following this incident, Barkley felt the need to call fans out on the ongoing bitterness two months post his move.
Barkley Responds
In a post, Barkley remarks, “It’s been two months… lol no way ya can still be this mad! Mf can’t even go to a basketball game.” The comment sparked more online debates as fans continued to criticize him for leaving the Giants. However, Barkley wasted no time in providing a rebuttal to these accusations.
The running back pointed out that he didn’t willingly become a traitor. In his words, “Let me educate some of you fans here… I can’t bail or become a traitor if I never got an offer to come back.. so I went to the organization I felt that was the best… Go birds.” Thus, affirming his claim that he only went with the Eagles after not receiving any offer to return to the Giants, despite his stellar performances.
An Unfortunate Fallout With the Giants
Saquon Barkley’s departure from the Giants was not without drama. His signing of a three-year contract with the Eagles came with a sting, leading to public spats with Tiki Barber, the Giants’ all-time leading rusher. Barkley’s swift move from the Giants, where he established a legacy by being the second player drafted in 2018, left lasting effects on both player and club.
Barkley’s record of 1,307 rushing yards and 91 receptions won him the Offensive Rookie of the Year in his debut season. He continued to thrive with another 1,000-yard season in 2019 only to face a setback due to a torn ACL causing him to miss 14 games. However, a career-high 1,312 yards in 2022 brought him back into the spotlight.
Missed Opportunities to Retain Barkley
Yet, despite his performance, the Giants failed to secure him with a long-term deal. The first opportunity slipped away when the Giants awarded a four-year, $160-million contract to quarterback Daniel Jones in 2023, leaving Barkley with an adjusted version of the franchise tag.
Barkley expressed dissatisfaction with this arrangement, but the Giants let go of the chances. However, as Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio pointed out, “Don’t be mad at the kid… the Giants had every opportunity over and over again… to sign him to a long-term deal, and they didn’t.” Barkley’s move to a rival team continues to spark controversy, reminding fans and Giants what they’re missing out on, twice per season.