Sep 5, 2024; Sao Paolo, Brazil; Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley at press conference at the Neo Química Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images Kirby Lee
Saquon Barkley had a perfect start to the 2024 season, earning the NFC Offensive Player of the Week Award after rushing for 109 yards and scoring two total touchdowns as he helped the Eagles to defeat the Green Bay Packers 34-29.
His former team, the New York Giants, got off to a disastrous start. The Giants were throttled 28-6 at home in Week 1 by the Minnesota Vikings. Daniel Jones — who entered the season on thin ice — was picked off twice in his 2024 debut, after a torn right ACL limited him to just six games last season.
Jeff Kerr of CBS Sports asked Barkley Thursday if he reached out to Jones at all after his Week 1 struggles.
"Yeah, I mean, I talked to him," Barkley said. "I'm really good friends with D.J. and obviously he didn't have the game that he wanted. But for me it, was just to let him know to go out and play free and do what you do best."
Saquon Barkley said he reached out to former teammate Daniel Jones following Jones’ tough outing in the Giants’ opener.
“Just go out there and play free.” pic.twitter.com/uZsm5OlBYR
— Tim McManus (@Tim_McManus) September 12, 2024
Jones is someone who nuance never seems to exist on. Should he have been the No. 6 in the 2019 NFL Draft? Probably not. But he got too much blame for the lack of team success the Giants had during his first three seasons, and probably too much credit when they improbably won a playoff game in 2022.
It feels like it's just a matter of when Giants coach Brian Daboll and general manager Joe Schoen move on from Jones in an attempt to preserve their own jobs.
By all accounts, the Giants wanted to trade up for Drake Maye in the NFL Draft, but the New England Patriots instead selected the quarterback at No. 3 overall. The Giants have an out after this season in Jones' contract, which is the second campaign in a four-year/$160 million deal for the quarterback. They'll likely take it.
The Eagles will face the Giants at MetLife Stadium in Week 7, before hosting them in Week 18. It's possible that someone other than Jones — Drew Lock or Tommy DeVito — is starting at quarterback for the Giants in one or both of those matchups.
There's no word on whether Barkley called Giants owner John Mara to console him after Week 1.
#Giants owner John Mara on Saquon Barkley potentially getting interest from the Eagles and Bears:
"I'll have a tough time sleeping if Saquon goes to Philadelphia, I'll tell you that. ... He's the most popular player we have BY FAR."pic.twitter.com/T0SJDIyHZH
