Giants legend has a strong reaction to Saquon Barkley joining the Eagles.
Originally posted on the NFL Analysis Network
Saquon Barkley signed a three-year contract with the Philadelphia Eagles in free agency this March. It irritated many New York Giants supporters, as one might expect.
It stung for Giants fans to watch their prized running back join their NFC East rivals, and it also irritated former Big Blue legend Tiki Barber, who mocked Barkley’s decision.
But another former New York running back isn’t mad with Barkley for chasing the money.
During a recent appearance on Pat Leonard’s Talkin’ Ball podcast, Jacobs stated he entirely understood Barkley’s decision.
“I loved it,” Jacobs stated. “The guy provided the Giants a lot since he was drafted. He completed every task that they assigned him.”
During his tenure in New York, Jacobs was a fiery individual. He actually had two stints with the G-Men, first from 2005 to 2011 and then again in 2013 following a brief one-year stay with the San Francisco 49ers.
So, Jacobs’ approval of Barkley’s move to Philadelphia says something.
“He wanted to be in New York. He wanted to play with the Giants. He did not want to leave. “That’s exactly what it is,” Jacobs added. “So he ended up with the possibility to earn $12.5 million [per year] from our competitor just down the street. I mean, it sucks, but I’m glad for him. Because he deserved to earn every dollar he could, and he’d worked hard and dedicated himself to do so.”
Jacobs won two Super Bowl wins with the Giants and had consecutive 1,000-yard seasons in 2007 and 2008, averaging five yards per rush both years. He also scored 15 rushing touchdowns in the later year.
Meanwhile, New York selected Barkley with the second overall choice in the 2018 NFL Draft. He appeared in two Pro Bowls with Big Blue, the most recent in 2022, after rushing for 1,312 yards.
Barkley rushed for 962 yards and six touchdowns in 14 games this season, averaging 3.9 yards per attempt.
We’ll see whether Saquon Barkley can remain healthy and recapture some of his efficiency with the Eagles.
