Free agency opened up Monday afternoon, with legal tampering starting at noon. As a result, many players have agreed to terms on new deals with new teams. One of those players is Saquon Barkley, who left the New York Giants to sign with the Philadelphia Eagles. Giants legend Tiki Barber was not happy about the move. What did he have to say about it?
Tiki Barber Slams Barkley for Joining Eagles
Earlier in the week, with rumors swirling about where Barkley could go in free agency, Barber bashed Barkley and gave him a harsh warning about leaving for a rival. “The fact that Saquon would even contemplate going to play for THAT team in Philadelphia is insulting to his Giants history and legacy,” said Barber.
Barber retired after the 2006 season, retiring as the franchise’s all-time leading rusher and a Giants legend. In his 10-year NFL career, which was spent only with the Giants, he had 10,449 yards and 55 touchdowns, as well as 5,183 yards and 12 touchdowns through the air. He was a three-time Pro Bowler and one-time first-team All-Pro.
“Go to Baltimore! Go to Houston! Do not go to the Philadelphia Eagles. Because if you do, that appreciation, that respect we all have for you, Saquon, would be gone,” said Barber. However, despite Barber’s urging, Barkley signed with the Eagles.
According to Adam Schefter, Barkley and the Eagles reached an agreement on a three-year, $37.75 million deal. The deal could be worth up to $46.75 million and includes $26 million fully guaranteed. Barkley’s average per year, $15.833 million, is the second highest for a running back in NFL history.
“He’s dead to us now. You’re dead to us, Saquon. Good luck, you’re dead to me,” said Barber after seeing the news. “Philly, enjoy the nine games he’ll play next year,” Shaun Morash, alongside Barber on Evan and Tiki, said. “See ya, Saquon, enjoy those overrated cheesesteaks.”
While those two were angry, co-host Evan Roberts harped more on Giants general manager Joe Schoen. “I think the Giants effed this up on so many levels,” said Roberts. “Take a phone call. We don’t know what a team would have offered.”
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Barkley, a former second-overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, spent the first six years of his NFL career with the Giants. He totaled 1,201 carries for 5,211 yards and 35 touchdowns. He also had 288 receptions for 2,100 yards and 12 more touchdowns. He’s a two-time Pro Bowler and one-time NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year.
While Barkley has found a lot of success in his career, he’s also suffered a handful of injuries. He missed the entire 2020 season and a part of the 2021 NFL season. He has, however, been healthy for most of the last two seasons, playing 30 of 34 potential games.
Saquon Barkley Responds to Tiki Barber
After Barber’s comments directed at Barkley went viral, the new Eagles running back took to X (formerly known as Twitter) to respond to the Giants legend and current WFAN host.
“You’re the prime example of loyalty to a team” said Barkley. “I got the deal I wanted, secured more gm which wasn’t given to me before. So if fans are gonna hate me for that so be it! But I never turned my back on my teammates and always had theirs.”
Barkley wasn’t finished in addressing Barber’s comments, however.
“You been a hater since I got to New York” said Barkley, tagging Barber in his post. “All the ‘dead to me’ talk don’t smile in my face when you see me.”
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