Former New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley recently signed with the Philadelphia Eagles on a three-year, $37.75 million contract ($26 million guaranteed).
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After playing six seasons with the Giants, the organization and its franchise player couldn't agree on a deal.
On Monday, Barkley revealed his side of the story, appearing in a a sneak peak preview of the The Athletic's "Scoop City" podcast, which is set to be released Tuesday.
We watched the #Giants side play out on Hard Knocks…now here’s Saquon Barkley’s version.
The Philadelphia #Eagle joins Scoop City in an exclusive interview on Tuesday. #ScoopCity
🎤https://t.co/Gx1G2MzGMs pic.twitter.com/Pz7dBbQ91p
— Dianna Russini (@DMRussini) July 22, 2024
Fans get an inside look into the phone call Barkley had with Giants GM Joe Schoen, as apparently, the running back was told to test the market and come back to him about matching any offer he got.
Hard Knocks exclusive - The phone call where Giants GM Joe Schoen tells Saquon Barkley he can be a free agent.
pic.twitter.com/gUpETrZxJd— SleeperNFL (@SleeperNFL) July 10, 2024
At that moment, Barkley claimed that he saw the writing on the wall.
"It was over after that phone call, in my opinion," Barkley said. "I never in my heart truly believed that they were going to match it, or they only wanted me for a lower price. So no matter what, I probably wasn't going to go back."
That is to say, the Giants front office has a slightly different story.
“SAQUON, CAN YOU GIVE ME YOUR WORD ON THAT…? Or are you not gonna give us a chance?”
- GM Joe Schoen in Hard Knocks
INSIDE LOOK ON THE #GIANTS OFFSEASON 👀
(🎥@HBO)
pic.twitter.com/dAcj0YBwEy— MLFootball (@_MLFootball) June 25, 2024
To point out, it was reported that Barkley's agent, Ed Berry, told Schoen about him being originally offered a $12.5 million average over three years (2/3 of that being guaranteed money) from another team.
After Schoen asked Berry if Barkley would be willing to sign back with those same numbers being offered for him to stay in New York, apparently it was insinuated that the Giants would have to up the offer a bit.
Giants owner John Mara on "Hard Knocks" mentioned that he did not want to see Barkley in an Eagles uniform, as he would "have a tough time sleeping if Saquon goes to Philadelphia."
“I might have a tough time sleeping if Saquon goes to Philadelphia…
He’s our most popular player by far!”
— Giants owner John Mara on Hard Knocks. pic.twitter.com/p2G27Qg5Pj
— Ryan Field (@RyanFieldABC) July 17, 2024
As both the team and their admitted, "most popular player by far," parted ways this offseason, Mora's nightmare will come true, being that they will see each other again on October 20, when the Eagles come to MetLife stadium.
Hard Knocks with the Giants has been extremely interesting.
“If we lose Saquon Barkley, what is our identity?” pic.twitter.com/XiItyGVWBB
— NFL Notifications (@NFLNotify) July 3, 2024
After being drafted by the Giants with the 2nd overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, Barkley accumulated 5,211 rushing yards (4.3 ypc), 47 total touchdowns in 74 games played.
Related: Eagles Head Coach Nick Sirianni Has Comeback For Giants Fans: 'We've Got Your Best Player'
