NFL Rumors: Giants ‘Weren’t Thrilled’ by Timing of Saquon Barkley’s Eagles Contract

The Philadelphia Eagles signed ex-New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley to a three-year, $37.75 million contract last March, ending his six-year tenure with their NFC East rivals.

As it turns out, the Giants were reportedly unhappy that the “framework” of the contract was done before the free agent negotiating window opened on March 11, per ESPN’s Jordan Raanan and Tim McManus.

“The Giants weren’t thrilled that the framework of a deal was reportedly done before the start of the free agent negotiating window, front office sources told ESPN. The Eagles didn’t understand why the Giants cared considering they weren’t making a real push to re-sign the player they drafted No. 2 in the 2018 NFL draft.”

“From 12:00 p.m. ET on Monday, March 11 until 3:59:59 p.m. ET on Wednesday, March 13, clubs are permitted to contact and enter into contract negotiations with the certified agents of players who will become unrestricted free agents upon expiration of their 2023 player contracts at 4:00 p.m. ET on March 13. The two-day negotiating period applies only to prospective unrestricted free agents.”

NFL Network broke news of the contract at 2:45 p.m. ET on March 11.

As Raanan noted (and Hard Knocks: Offseason With the New York Giants cameras later showed), the Giants never formally made an offer to Barkley to stay. However, owner John Mara made clear his love for Barkley during on-camera segments, and he also said that he would have a “tough time sleeping” if the running back went to the Eagles.

Barkley, of course, did end up becoming an Eagle. He’s fared quite well for Philadelphia, amassing 574 total yards and five touchdowns through five games. His 482 rushing yards rank fourth in the NFL.

And now he heads back to MetLife Stadium, home of the New York Giants, who will host the Eagles on Sunday at 1 p.m. ET.

“Maybe I’m naive, but I think it’s over. That chapter’s closed,” Barkley said per Raanan and McManus. “I truly don’t care no more, and I’m pretty sure fans don’t care no more.”

We’ll find out how the fans feel soon enough in a game that’s huge for both teams. The 3-2 Eagles are enduring an uneven season that most recently featured an uninspiring 20-16 home win over the 1-5 Cleveland Browns. Meanwhile, the Giants are 2-4 even though their defense hasn’t allowed more than 21 points in any game this season.

Something has to give Sunday, but the main storyline will still be Barkley as the running back makes his long-awaited return.