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Saquon Barkley tormented the New York Giants in his return to Met Life Stadium on Sunday. However, the Philadelphia Eagles running back passed up an opportunity for even more revenge. Barkley led the Eagles to a 28-3 victory over his former team with 176 rushing yards and a touchdown on 17 carries.
Giants fans booed the 27-year-old, who spent six seasons with the organization that drafted him in 2018. On Monday, the Eagles shared a sideline conversation between him and head coach Nick Sirianni. Late in the game, Sirianni told Barkley he was 13 rushing yards away from matching a personal high set five years ago.
He was ready to pull his starters, but he offered the two-time Pro Bowler a chance to stay in the game and pursue the milestone. However, Barkley encouraged Sirianni to give his teammates backfield reps instead. "It's all good," Barkley told Sirianni.
"I'd rather see the young boys eat." Observers praised Barkley's grace in a situation where many would have opted for pettiness. "This is incredible selflessness," The Athletic's Dianna Russini wrote.
"I think a lot of guys would want to get a record against their former team...
especially in this case." "Leadership. Selflessness.
Being a great teammate. I love everything about this from Saquon," ESPN's Field Yates said. "Class act," ESPN's Mike Greenberg commented.
"This is just as impressive as anything he did during the game," former Eagles linebacker Emmanuel Acho declared. Pedro Vilela/Getty Images Football fans got an opportunity to see Barkley's free agency play out on Hard Knocks . A year after exercising the franchise tag, general manager Joe Schoen encouraged the former Penn State star to see if he could find a better deal than the Giants would offer.
He did just that, signing a three-year, $37.75 million contract with the Eagles. Giants fans hurt by his defection to a division rival burned his jersey outfield the stadium.
Barkley enacted owner John Mara's worst nightmares by torching his former team. The way he was playing, it may not have taken many more handoffs to set a new single-game rushing benchmark for extra payback. He instead stepped away and watched rookie Will Shipley get the first eight carries of his NFL career in garbage time.
Barkley will receive another crack at his former team when the Eagles host the Giants in Week 18. Related: John Mara Is Trending As Saquon Barkley Dominates Giants In New York.
