Saquon Barkley said Friday that he hoped Daniel Jones could follow a similar path to his: success in the NFL after the New York Giants.
Jones, benched earlier this week in favor of Tommy DeVito, asked for his release Friday morning from the Giants, who agreed to grant it in a decision that both sides said “would be in the best interest of him and the team.” “.
Like Jones, Barkley also left the Giants, with his departure coming via free agency during the offseason. He landed with the rival Eagles on a three-year, $37.75 million contract, and has seemingly earned every penny, ranking first in the NFC in rushing yards with 1,137 for a Philadelphia team that is 8-2 and in first place in the NFC East. — much better than the cellar-dwelling Giants (2-8).
The unique situation that two high draft picks (Barkley went No. 2 to the Giants in 2018 and Jones No. 6 a year later) were no longer on the team was not lost on Barkley.
“I have been in contact with him. Our friendship has remained close throughout the process of my stay here,” he told reporters on Friday. “It sucks to see how everything went for him there. I have nothing but good things to say about him. You really won’t find anyone who can say negative things about him.
“It’s the NFL. Hopefully, wherever I end up next, they’ll find someone to come and work. It didn’t work out for me there and I’m doing well here. Hopefully I can do it.” find the same new beginning and the same success.
One team that will not be in the fight for Jones is the Dallas Cowboys.
Despite losing Dak Prescott to a season-ending hamstring injury earlier this month, executive vice president Stephen Jones told “The Blitz with Jason & Joe” that the Cowboys are happy with Cooper Rush and Trey Lance in the short term.
Jones will clear waivers, though it’s unlikely a team will accept the remainder of the four-year, $160 million contract he signed in March 2023. It would cost the claiming team about $12 million for the remainder of the season. They will likely sign it after clearing waivers.
