During his debut press conference with the Philadelphia Eagles on Thursday, Saquon Barkley voiced a single regret regarding his departure from the New York Giants.
Barkley conveyed to reporters that he felt he hadn’t bid a “proper goodbye” to Giants fans via social media. Tonight, he took steps to remedy that omission.
In a statement shared on X/Twitter, Barkley expressed gratitude to “all the Giants fans who have supported me and my family over the past six years.”
“When I was drafted here I wanted my impact off the field to rival the accomplishments we had on it, and I can only hope that I came close to doing that,” Barkley wrote. “I’m forever grateful to the Mara and Tisch family and the wonderful people working in the Giants organization.
“The fans in New York and New Jersey will forever hold a place in my heart. Ultimately, the NFL is a business, and I hope that everyone can respect my decision.”
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Selected as the No. 2 overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft out of Penn State, Barkley clinched NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year and earned a Pro Bowl nod in his debut season.
A torn ACL sidelined him for most of the 2020 season and hindered his performance in 2021. However, Barkley rebounded in 2022, tallying a career-high 1,312 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns, earning another Pro Bowl selection and aiding the Giants in securing a playoff spot.
In 2023, Barkley accumulated 962 rushing yards and six touchdowns, missing three games due to a sprained ankle. His contract with the Eagles spans three years, totaling $37.5 million with $26 million guaranteed.
