Even though Saquon Barkley and the New York Giants broke up months ago, the popular running back is still connected to the franchise because to HBO’s “Hard Knocks.”
A preview for the upcoming episode of the famous show, which premieres on Tuesday night, suggests that Giants general manager Joe Schoen may have tried more to retain Barkley than first believed. The show has been detailing Barkley’s departure from the team this offseason.
Schoen stated, “I made him an offer today for a three-year contract at $12.5 (million) APY and $25 (million) guaranteed to be a Giant.”
“If Saquon leaves, I’m going to have a hard time sleeping,” Giants president and CEO John Mara retorted.
Barkley eventually inked a three-year, $37.75 million contract with the Giants’ division rival Philadelphia Eagles, only $250K less than Schoen’s offer.
You’ve never seen free agency like this before. 👀
New episode of #HardKnocks Offseason with the @Giants airs tonight at 9pm ET on @StreamOnMax. #Giants100 pic.twitter.com/qVKHPhPBjB
— NFL (@NFL) July 16, 2024
Barkley even implied that the Giants never extended a contract offer to him after the season, which is how he ended up in Philadelphia, after he signed with the Eagles.
You bailed. On New York. Sow the wind, reap the whirlwind.
— jpkmets Prepping 4 Second Half Surge #LGM (@jpkmets) May 3, 2024
Additionally, it appears from earlier “Hard Knocks” episodes that Schoen had little interest in getting Barkley back. He was heard saying that the team does not pay quarterback Daniel Jones to find a running back who makes $12 million a year.
A different footage from a different episode had a chat between the two, in which Schoen first asked Barkley to agree to let him match any contract he received from another team, after telling him the Giants would let him explore what was available in free agency.