Eagles RB Saquon Barkley admits regrets about Giants departure

Barkley and Giants legend Tiki Barber generated plenty of headlines with a back-and-forth related to the 27-year-old joining New York's hated division rival. Barber previously warned Barkley about tarnishing "his Giant history and legacy" and the current CBS Sports NFL analyst and WFAN radio host later joked that Barkley was "dead" to him and to Giants fans. Barkley found no humor in the matter and claimed Barber had "been a hater since [he] got to New York."

The two-time Pro Bowl selection took a different approach on Thursday. 

"I’m forever grateful for the Giants fans and so thankful for them," Barkley said. "But unfortunately, the NFL is a business, and I was able to get to a place where I know I can compete and know I can win." 

Barkley first became a national name during his time with the Penn State Nittany Lions and played in a total of two playoff games with the Giants. Both of those contests occurred in January 2023, the same year the Eagles lost to the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LVII. 

While the Giants finished this past season at 6-11, 11-6 Philadelphia qualified for the playoffs. 

"Watching from afar, everything that they’re about, the culture here, the fans here, definitely got super excited about it," Barkley said about relocating from the Big Apple to the City of Brotherly Love. "I'm just happy to be a part of this organization, and I’m ready to go."