EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — At MetLife Stadium during the New York Giants’ game against the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday night, a young boy sported a blue No. 26 Saquon Barkley jersey. Nearby, a man in his twenties wore a blue Giants jersey with Barkley’s name covered by a makeshift “Singletary.”
This reflects the tricky situation for Giants fans. Running back Devin Singletary, in his first season with the Giants, now wears the No. 26 jersey. Meanwhile, Barkley, who was the face of the franchise for six seasons, left to join the rival Philadelphia Eagles as a free agent in March.
The decision sparked a significant backlash. Former Giants running back Tiki Barber famously stated on his WFAN radio show, “You’re dead to us!” This tongue-in-cheek remark resonated with many fans on social media, leading to the creation of the nickname “Snaquon Barkley.”
Barkley took issue with Barber’s comments and responded sharply. He was clearly displeased by the criticism for what he considered a business decision, noting that he received several million dollars more in guaranteed money ($26 million total) than what the Giants had offered during nearly two years of negotiations, which began during the bye week of the 2022 season.
New York general manager Joe Schoen never formally offered Saquon Barkley a contract this past offseason. This led to the memorable moment in HBO’s “Hard Knocks” when owner John Mara expressed he would have “a tough time sleeping” if Barkley joined the Eagles.
The Giants were not pleased to learn that a deal was reportedly in place before the free-agent negotiating window opened, according to sources from the front office. The Eagles, however, were confused as to why the Giants cared, given that they weren’t actively trying to re-sign the player they drafted second overall in the 2018 NFL Draft.
Fast forward to Week 7, when Barkley returns to MetLife Stadium for the first time since signing with the division rival Eagles, just 90 miles away (1 p.m. ET Sunday, Fox). Barkley has experienced the complexities of switching sides in a rivalry that spans over 90 years, highlighted by events like the Miracle at the Meadowlands. The atmosphere is expected to be charged with emotion.
“I don’t expect a great reaction. I don’t expect to be booed,” Barkley stated. “I see it like this: The Philadelphia Eagles and New York Giants have played over 200 games. This rivalry existed before me and will continue after me.”
