Former New York Giants superstar Saquon Barkley has no plans to look back as he embarks on a “new chapter” in his life and career.
Barkley spent six seasons with Big Blue before moving on to the Philadelphia Eagles last offseason, signing a three-year, $37.75 million contract.
In his first game with the Eagles last Friday night in Brazil, Barkley rushed for 109 yards and three touchdowns, a performance that left many Giants fans (and co-owner John Mara) feeling a sense of regret.
this week, “I was like, ‘I’m not a racist,'” Barkley told Rich Eisen. He said he wasn’t surprised the Giants didn’t contact him in the weeks before free agency this March. He said things were trending that way.
Barclay grew up and went to school in Pennsylvania, so he sees the move as a kind of homecoming.
“I look at it as a blessing. I’m entering a new chapter. I’m grateful to everyone in New York for the six years I spent there. I learned so much. I wouldn’t be the player I am today and I wouldn’t be the person I am today without the time I spent there,” he said.
Eisen was asked if the way he and the Giants parted ways left him “unhappy.”
“Yeah, I was,” Barkley said, “but I’ll always be unhappy. I was a little hurt. They say the grass isn’t always greener on the other side, but I’m happy, my family is happy. I’ve got more smiles to smile about. Everything’s looking up for me.”
Barkley then made it clear that leaving the Giants was not his only motivation.
“I’m upset, not just because of the Giants, but because I’m on a mission and I want to accomplish it,” he said.
This summer, the Giants’ offseason process was made publicly available on HBO. A tough challengeThere has been a lot of discussion about Barkley among team executives, including general manager Joe Sean, Mara and several other personnel officials.
Marla clearly wanted to find a way to keep Berkley, but Sean had other ideas, arguing that keeping him would be too expensive.
Eisen asked Barkley if he was aware of the conversations the Giants had had about him before watching the show.
“Not particularly,” he said, “but I’m grateful to Mara and (Steve) Tisch and their families for taking a chance on me and drafting me. I can see firsthand how much they valued me. They always valued me when I was there. You can see it on TV. It left a special place in my heart.”
Barkley seems to have quickly forgotten about the Giants. He’s always carried himself with class and in this interview he showed the consistency he’s hoped for in his on-field career.
“Things didn’t go the way I wanted them to,” he said. “Moving forward, it doesn’t mean my career is over. The way I look at it, it’s just beginning.”
If Barkley continues to play like he did in Brazil, he’ll be a candidate for league MVP.
