A large part of the second episode of “Hard Knocks” revolved around the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis.
But the show’s most dramatic scene once again unfolded in New Jersey.
The second episode, released Tuesday, ends with Giants general manager Joe Sean asking running back Saquon Barkley to return to him after Barkley attempts to sign as a free agent to give the Giants a chance to match any offer.
“Are you going to commit to that or not give us a chance?” Sean said in a call with Barkley on March 5, just a few days before free agency began.
Barkley responded: “I mean, I already told you where I want to go.”
The episode ends with that phone call.
Perhaps the next episode will tell us what happens when Barkley signs with the Eagles and whether the star running back gives the Giants a chance to match the three-year, $37.75 million contract Philadelphia gave him.
We spend a lot of time in this episode talking about the draft evaluation process, specifically the scouting combine.
The story begins with Sean getting the news that the salary cap will be $255.4 million, much higher than the Giants or anyone in the NFL had expected.
The news came as Sean was watching free agency video and he commented on how this could change the situation for the Giants’ top two free agents, Barkley and safety Xavier McKinney.
“It changes the game plan,” Sean told director of pro scouting Chris Rossetti.
Before calling Berkeley at the end of the episode, Sean also calls Berkeley’s agent, Ed Berry, that same day.
He told Berry he didn’t want to make Barkley an offer he thought would be disrespectful and then have him accept another million dollars from another team.
Instead, he told Berry he had no market sense and wanted Barkley to figure out his value within the league and then come back to him with a counteroffer.
He then called Berkeley and told him his plan, and Berkeley didn’t sound insulted.
“Okay, thanks,” Barkley said.
The majority of the episode features footage from the Scout Combine and pre-Combine scouting meetings.
Giants scouts discussed Louisiana State wide receiver Malik Neighbors ahead of the combine, who the Giants would eventually draft with the sixth overall pick.
“There’s a lot of personality in this kid, so we’ll have to circle around him and see if we can work with him,” area scout Scott Hamel said.
Rumors that the Giants were interested in trading up to No. 3 with the Patriots also proved true, with Sean visiting the Patriots’ suite at the combine and speaking with Elliot Wolff, the Patriots’ executive vice president of player personnel.
“I’m just going to go out there and say this,” Sean said before pacing around Lucas Oil Stadium, “and say, ‘Hey, before you do anything at 3 o’clock, make sure you let us know. If you’re going to move a pick, don’t do it without at least giving us a call. We’re interested.’ I’m going to go plant the seed.”
The camera shows him asking Wolf to leave the suite, and then shows Sean saying, “If you guys are planning on doing anything at three o’clock, like moving out, you just give me this. I’m not gonna tell you what your plans are or anything, but if you have any idea, call me.”
Wolff told him he’d received similar inquiries from several teams.
