Giants' free agency approach felt "like a slap in the face": Saquon Barkley
This offseason, former New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley found a home in Philadelphia. After Barkley became a free agent this offseason and explored the market, the former New York Giant running back signed a three-year, $37.75 million contract with the Eagles.
Barkley recently opened up about contract negotiations with New York on NFL reporter Dianna Russini's YouTube show, "Scoop City." Recently, we've seen Barkley and the Giants' contract negotiations on HBO's "Hard Knocks" series, specifically, Episode 3. Barkley opened up and said he felt the Giants had been "disrespectful," saying:
"The Giants thought I was going to go out there and get 9, maybe 8, stretch at 10. Then I'll come back to them and it's like, 'All right well we got you if you want to come play at 9.' Which I think that truly would have got it done. I think that's just where they valued me at, or Joe valued me at that. He had a price point where he was willing to pay, and he wasn't going to go over to."
"You know, kudos to him for sticking to his gut, but yeah that's how I feel. I kind of felt like it was a little disrespectful, to be honest, because it's like a slap in the face. 'You go see what you are worth, and then if you're worth that, we'll see if you're worth it maybe we'll match it.'"
(22:48 – 23:28)
While it seems that Barkley respected the Giants and general manager Joe Schoen for sticking to their number in contract negotiations, he didn't like the comment about going out to see if he is worth more than he thought. It ended up working out for Barkley.
Saquon Barkley signs with the Giants' rivals, the Philadelphia Eagles, this offseason
The New York Giants had the last two offseasons to extend Saquon Barkley. Before he became a free agent last offseason, the Giants used the franchise tag on him after they extended quarterback Daniel Jones.
This offseason, the Giants had a set number on Barkley and never seemed to nudge. Schoen told Barkley to find his worth in free agency, and he found a new home in Philadelphia. The Eagles gave him an offer higher than the Giants, and with how Schoen and the Giants had handled his situation, it was a no-brainer for Barkley to join one of the best offensive line units in the league.
Saquon Barkley now gets to face his former team twice each season as a member of the Eagles. Barkley will have both games against the Giants marked on his calendar, and it could be an emotional return to New York when he faces them at MetLife.