After Saquon Barkley finalized his contract with the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday, Hall of Famer Barry Sanders extended his congratulations to the running back, expressing anticipation to witness Barkley “run that rock.”
However, former New York Giants running back Tiki Barber had a markedly different reaction. On WFAN Sports Radio, Barber bluntly stated, “You’re dead to us, Saquon. Good luck, you’re dead to me.” His remarks followed ESPN’s Adam Schefter reporting Barkley’s three-year, $37.75 million deal with the Eagles, which could potentially reach $46.75 million with incentives.
Barber, who dedicated his entire 10-season career to the Giants—a feat Barkley had previously aimed for in his own career—seemingly felt betrayed by Barkley’s departure. However, as ESPN’s Jordan Raanan disclosed on Tuesday, the Giants never extended an offer to Barkley this offseason, indicating they had no intention of retaining him.
In response to Barber’s remarks, Barkley addressed the situation accordingly.
Sanders, another running back synonymous with a single team throughout his career, notably missed out on a Super Bowl victory during his legendary tenure with the Detroit Lions. Barkley’s move to Philadelphia potentially offers him a better opportunity to pursue a Lombardi Trophy than staying with the Giants, who have struggled with losing records in six of the past seven seasons.
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Philadelphia, just a season removed from a Super Bowl appearance, boasts a wealth of offensive talent including Jalen Hurts, A.J. Brown, and DeVonta Smith. Barkley’s presence alongside these playmakers could lead to fewer defensive focus on the run game, potentially resulting in heightened productivity.
Sanders, evidently, is eager to witness Barkley’s journey with the Eagles unfold.
