After six seasons in New York, Saquon Barkley will have a new home for the next three years.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the longtime New York Giants running back agreed to a three-year, $37.75 million contract with the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday. The deal can be worth as much as $46.75 million and includes $26 million in guarantees.
The Giants had the option of placing the franchise tag on Barkley again after the 2023 season, and general manager Joe Schoen told reporters on Feb. 27 that possibility was not “off the table.” However, New York ultimately chose not to place the franchise tag on him and allowed him to hit the open market, giving Philadelphia the opportunity to snatch him up.
Barkley appeared in 14 games this past season and rushed for 962 yards and six touchdowns on 247 carries while also adding 41 catches for 280 yards and four more scores.
The 27-year-old enjoyed his best year since his rookie season in 2022, as he rushed for a career-high 1,312 yards along with 10 touchdowns while adding 57 catches for 338 yards.
Barkley’s departure ends a contentious saga that at one point saw him contemplate sitting out the 2023 season. New York had failed to come to terms on a long-term extension prior to the league deadline for franchise-tagged players. Despite his disappointment, Barkley put the team first by agreeing to the adjusted tag and being present for the first day of training camp and playing out the season.
Barkley can now move forward in his new surroundings. He will undoubtedly be a strong addition to a Philadelphia rushing offense that ranked eighth this past season with 128.8 yards per game.
New York Giants owner John Mara couldn’t hold in his emotions after seeing star running back Saquon Barkley choose the Philadelphia Eagles in free agency earlier this month.
So, he decided to text him his thoughts.
Mara spoke with reporters at the annual NFL owners meeting in Orlando on Tuesday, and he admitted that he “hated” seeing Barkley go to the Eagles, and he texted him how he felt.
Mara said he “texted him and told him it made him ‘sick’ shortly after he signed,” according to SNY.
Mara added that he was “hoping” Barkley would be back, while referencing the two contracts the Giants had previously offered him. He also reportedly told GM Joe Schoen that he “wouldn’t be thrilled” with Barkley landing in the NFC East.
It’s a pill that Mara and the rest of the organization need to just swallow now that Barkley will be seen twice a year for the next three seasons after inking a contract of that length with a max clue of $46.76 million.
SAQUON BARKLEY’S 5-YEAR-OLD DAUGHTER HILARIOUSLY RIPS GIANTS AFTER LEARNING DAD JOINED EAGLES
When news broke that Barkley ended up choosing the Eagles, it was reported that the Giants never offered him a contract this time in free agency. Barkley virtually confirmed that by retweeting the report on X, which said the Chicago Bears and Houston Texans were the other two teams that sent an offer his way along with the Eagles.
Last offseason, Schoen ended up franchise tagging Barkley, while extending quarterback Daniel Jones for the next four seasons, though Jones’ future with the team is murky heading into the 2024 season.
Prior to the franchise tag, the Giants reportedly sent an offer Barkley’s way which was worth $13 million per year with $26 million over the first two years, per ProFootballTalk. Barkley reportedly wanted $16 million last offseason.
Barkley’s Eagles contract has an annual average value of $12.583 million, while he will get $26 million guaranteed. While trading barbs with Tiki Barber on social media after the deal was agreed upon, Barkley noted that he “secured more (guaranteed money) which wasn’t given to me before.”
Barkley admitted that he didn’t handle his goodbye to the Giants organization and its fans properly, issuing an apology once his deal with the Eagles was made official at the start of the new league year.
“The last three days have been a whirlwind of emotions, but I wanted to take a minute to acknowledge all the Giant fans that have supported me and my family over the last six years,” Barkley said in a statement on X. “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. 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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