How Saquon Barkley went from ‘hourly vast’ to section rival Eagles

EAST RUTHERFORD, New Jersey – Sitting in MetLife Stadium watching the Brandnew York Giants play games, the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday night used to be a cute little boy dressed in Incorrect blue. 26 Saquon Barkley T-shirt. A couple of seats away was a twenty-something guy also wearing a blue Giants 26 jersey, except Barkley’s name was taped with a makeshift “Singletary” written on the back.

That’s the fancy status that exists for Giants fans. Working again Devin Singletary, in his first season with the Giants, now wears 26 for Brandnew York. Barkley, the active superstar who used to be the face of the franchise for the previous six seasons, left to join the rival Philadelphia Eagles as an independent agent in March.

The verdict sparked protests. Returning former Giants Tiki Barber stated about the future on his drivetime radio show on WFAN: “You’re dead to us!” The tongue-in-cheek comment seemed to speak to a large portion of fans on social media, where the nickname “Snaquon Barkley” used to be born.

Barkley took offense and shot Barber again. He didn’t seem to like the consequences of making what he considered an industry choice. He earned several million dollars more in guaranteed money ($26 million total) than the Giants offered during his nearly two years of negotiations, returning to the bye during the 2022 season.

New York general manager Joe Schoen never formally presented Barkley with a commitment to this offseason event. It ended up in the much talked about scene on HBO’s “Hard Knocks” where owner John Mara said he’s “going to have a hard time sleeping if Saquon goes to Philly.”

The Giants were not happy that the framework for an offer had been reached before the start of the independent agent negotiating window, top administrative center resources told ESPN. The Eagles didn’t understand why the Giants cared, considering they weren’t making a real effort to re-sign the player they drafted incorrectly. 2 in the 2018 NFL draft.

This brings us to Day 7, when Barkley, not a fan favorite, returns to MetLife Stadium for the future main since signing with the section rival 90 miles to the south (1 p.m. ET Sunday, Fox). Barkley has figured out how to change aspects of this conflict, which began more than 90 years ago, built on moments like the Amaze on the Meadowlands. You will have to develop a joint electric climate with effervescent sensations.

“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 Football Giants probably played over 200 games. This rivalry existed before me and it will be there after me.”

BARKLEY IS BIG on display. It’s whatever you say you’ve been doing your entire tenure.

So before you set foot on the MetLife Stadium turf in an away uniform on Sunday, you’ll have imagined great scenes from the sport closest to you with the intention of manifesting them.

“I’m pretty sure I’ll visualize myself breaking down a long touchdown run,” Barkley advised ESPN, “making plays there. That’s very helpful.”

Something that Barkley has trouble imagining is a more or less exaggerated response from the Giants faithful.

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

A moment that may be out of sync with normal expectations for Sunday’s game speaks to the mentality he’s followed since signing a three-year, $37.75 million independent agent commitment with the Eagles this offseason.

He said in his introductory briefing that it was “definitely a little different” to put on an Eagles hoodie for the first time and see his daughter, Jada, dressed in green gear and soon on the “worst side in the world.” rivalry, I guess you could say, for the last two years.”

However, that weirdness has “definitely faded” as the weeks have passed. He has embraced the new beginning and stated that he feels like a rookie across the board once again. He has marveled at the skill in meeting him, from Jalen Hurts to DeVonta Smith to AJ Brown. He has immersed himself in the culture and has actively worked to develop relationships in the tank room, from going toe-to-toe with Hurts in the squat rack to playing golf with several teammates during his downtime.

The visible Barkley with wings on his helmet has begun to feel more common to witnesses of the future. He’s been an excellent fit on a 3-2 Eagles team that hasn’t put it all together yet, ranking third in moderate-speed yards per game (96.4) with five overall touchdowns. Barkley became the first player in franchise history to have more than 100 yards from scrimmage in each of the first four games to start the year.

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

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

Giants fans saw that unique ability up close over six seasons: Barkley racked up 2,600 rushing yards and 22 touchdowns at MetLife Stadium during his time in blue, and he’ll have a chance to add to that on Sunday.

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

None of them are Saquon Barkley. He is a rare star who has jumped directly from one rival to another in the prime of 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 he knows his association with the other side of the rivalry doesn’t give him free passes.

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

There is a player on the Giants’ active roster who has played for the Eagles. Linebacker and special teams member Patrick Johnson, who played in 54 games as an Eagle 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 wide receiver Parris Campbell.

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

Barber, who says he likes Barkley personally and even selected him for his fantasy team despite his comments earlier this year, insists that moving to the Eagles is not a move he would have made during his playing career (1997 -2006). He is the leading rusher in Giants history with 10,449 rushing yards, nearly double what Barkley scored while in New York.

“The cash discrepancy wasn’t the same as it is now. You were basically trying to get the same factor no matter where you went or what you did,” Barber said. “It wouldn’t have made sense. In my day, the argument used to be real. It wasn’t like, ‘Oh, I know those guys. It’s cool.’ It used to be real. You hated them.

“Since the money wasn’t a big deal, it was worth it to the fans to stay.”

Five games later with a different team, Barkley is downplaying the move.

“Nothing different. You learn the culture. You adjust to moving around. I guess 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 used to be with the Steelers. [Former Raven linebacker] Patrick Queen is now with the Steelers. [Safety] Geno Stone was with the Ravens and now he is with the Bengals. It’s common. … It’s part of the NFL.”

The Eagles working again rest intertwined with the Giants. His condition was closely monitored through his former storage room and he is in contact with several of his former teammates.

Giants quarterback Daniel Jones told ESPN that the two “will talk frequently” in the coming years about spending the future together on and off the field. Barkley texted Jones to keep his head up before the opener and congratulate him on the Giants’ first win of the season, Day 3 in Cleveland.

By contrast, Jones and the Giants have had a similar view on how Barkley is doing in Philadelphia. Veteran wide receiver Darius Slayton reposted a clip of Barkley’s exploits on Instagram a few weeks ago. Jones has seen a few from Barkley at Eagles Green.

“It’s a little different. I’m 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, for sure.”

Barber believes there will be a concerted response to Barkley’s return to MetLife. There will probably be those who recognize what he did in six seasons. But there is a chance that the vocal majority will express their distaste for the fresh colors he wears.

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