Interestingly, it seems like Saquon Barkley might be the only one who enjoyed the Giants’ appearance on “Hard Knocks” last year.
After leaving New York for Philadelphia, Barkley had an impressive season, rushing for 2,005 yards and securing the Super Bowl title. Recently, he guest-starred on the “Pardon My Take” podcast, where he was asked about his feelings toward the Giants.
“It’s amusing because I think there’s this notion of a feud with Joe Shane, the general manager of the Giants,” Barkley mentioned to Barstool Sports’ Dan Katz. “In reality, I still keep in touch with folks over there. I was following all the games even before last season. They were genuinely happy for me after I rushed for those 2,000 yards. It’s just part of the business; the NFL is oddly transactional.”
Barkley’s standout performance in Philadelphia earned him MVP votes, and he hinted that his experience on “Hard Knocks” reveals some insights about his departure from the Giants.
After switching teams, he faced a lot of backlash from fans who felt betrayed. “I’m actually relieved; I thought I was the only one feeling this way,” he said. “Fans often see it in black and white—like I just left. But there was a negotiation process the previous year. They allowed me to test the free agent market, and that’s something people overlook.”
Giants owner John Mara expressed concern about Barkley’s move, saying that losing him to the Eagles would be tough for him to accept. And to add to the challenge for the Giants, Barkley has delivered one of the best seasons by a running back in quite some time.
Feeling positive about his choice, Barkley shared that he’s content in Philadelphia. Just under a year after his signing, he received a pay raise and a contract extension.
“Everyone, including Joe Shane, believed letting me test the market was the right move,” Barkley reflected. “And honestly, that was the best thing for me. I’m here in Philadelphia with Howie [Roseman] and all the great staff, plus I play behind what’s arguably the best offensive line in the league. We just won the Super Bowl, and things continue to go well.”
The Eagles are set to kick off the 2025 NFL season against the Cowboys on September 4th in “Thursday Night Football,” possibly facing a Dallas side missing Micah Parsons due to a contract dispute.
