The Saquon Barkley Show is returning to MetLife Stadium, and it might be the most exciting game on the New York Giants’ schedule.
The fact that the Philadelphia Eagles (3-2) are visiting the Giants (2-4) for this intense New Jersey Turnpike rivalry is important, but Barkley’s return is the real highlight.
Barkley, who has been the face of the Giants since he was drafted second overall in 2018 and won NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year, is now playing for the Eagles. He signed a three-year, $37.5 million deal in March, and this will be his first game against his former team.
While Barkley wants to treat this like any other game, he knows it’s different. “It’s more like the balance of how I want to attack it,” he said. “I want to be locked in and focused. No one is making more of what it’s not. I’ve done that before.
I didn’t like the outcome of that. It’s going to be a fun environment. It’s football. I love being a part of stuff like that. Especially being part of the history of these two teams going against each other, especially in this division.”
The Giants share similar feelings as they look for their first home win, currently 0-3 at home, and need a victory to stay competitive in the NFC East.
Quarterback Daniel Jones mentioned he hasn’t reached out to Barkley this week. Inside linebacker Micah McFadden is excited to finally have the chance to hit Barkley.
Defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence joked about hitting Barkley, but said it wouldn’t be anything new since they practiced against each other when former coach Joe Judge allowed the offense and defense to go at it.
“I’ve been against other guys that were here and then went somewhere else,” Lawrence said. “At the end of the day, to me, it’s football. You’ve got to beat whoever is in front of you and this week it’s the Eagles. That’s the game plan. I’m excited to compete against Saquon for a full game. Just put my will on him a little bit.”
