New York Giants fans aren’t happy about Saquon Barkley leaving for the Philadelphia Eagles in free agency, but Eagles coach Nick Sirianni is mocking them for it.
While speaking with reporters on Wednesday, Sirianni was asked about the luxury of having Barkley in the backfield, and his answer was something an Eagles fan might give to a Giants fan.
“Sometimes I’ll see Giants fans around,” Sirianni said, via CBS Sports, “and they’ll say to me, ‘Go Giants,’ and I usually don’t mind, but… [fan] If they’re good enough, I always say, ‘Look, we’ve got your best player.’”
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Philadelphia Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni reacts during player Jason Kelce’s retirement announcement at the NovaCare Complex on March 4, 2024 in Philadelphia. (Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)
Sirianni reportedly said this with a smirk, knowing Giants fans were not happy about their No. 2 overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft going to an NFC East rival.
But the Eagles made Barkley an offer he was happy to make, to join a team with a playoff contender. The Eagles gave him a three-year contract worth $12.6 million per season, but the Giants reportedly did not make him an offer in the offseason. Instead, the Giants quickly signed free agent Devin Singletary to replace him.
Sirianni’s claim that the Eagles acquired the Giants’ best player is borne out by what he accomplished during his six seasons in the NFL.
Saquon Barkley is living the dream with Eagles’ star-studded offense
Barkley ranks fourth in Giants history with 5,211 rushing yards and seventh in total receiving yards with 7,311 in 74 games. New York wasn’t a great team with him leading the offense (the Giants are 34-64-1 with one tie since 2018), but Barkley was a player fans could rally around.
The 2022 season marked the Giants’ only playoff appearance with Barkley, but the Penn State product had a season-high 1,312 rushing yards and 10 rushing touchdowns while also catching 57 passes for 338 yards.
But the Giants continued to struggle in 2023, especially after starting quarterback Daniel Jones suffered a torn ACL midway through the season.
Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley makes a gesture during a press conference after signing with the team. (Kyle Ross/USA Today Sports)
Barkley had 962 yards rushing and 280 yards receiving for New York, totaling 10 touchdowns.
As long as Barkley is healthy, Sirianni should enjoy using his versatility, strength and speed in the backfield. Giants fans have been saying for some time that Barkley’s true talents would shine behind a strengthened offensive line, and the Eagles have that even with center Jason Kelce retiring.
The addition of Barkley to an offensive line that includes Jalen Hurts, A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith and Dallas Goedert would be huge for the Eagles as they look to return to the Super Bowl.
Philadelphia Eagles coach Nick Sirianni walks onto the field with his team prior to the Super Bowl against the Kansas City Chiefs on Feb. 12, 2023 in Glendale, Arizona. (AP Photo/Bryn Anderson)
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If Barkley stays in Philadelphia, he will face the Giants twice in each of the next three seasons.
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