Watch: John Mara Jokes About Saquon Barkley Ad

After a season of being criticized by fans, analysts, and even rival players, the Giants cannot escape the wrath of Barkley and his 2,000-yard season.

That accomplishment put him in esteemed territory with some of the best running backs of all time. It also landed him a commercial with Unisom, a sleep-aid company that featured Barkley in a recent commercial.

The advertisement featured Barkley singing a lullaby about hitting 2,000 yards, which some considered an ode to Mara being seen on “Hard Knocks” saying that he wouldn’t be able to sleep if Barkley landed on the Eagles. The running back has since refuted that claim and said he had the script reworded to be more respectful to his former team.

Mara, a year removed from the fateful decision, was able to joke about it on Monday, shortly after bringing back his coach and general manager.

“Yesterday I walked out before the game and told him I was very upset with him, based on our relationship of so many years,” Mara began. “And he said, ‘What do you mean?’ And I said the least you could’ve done was asked me to be in the commercial with you. I could’ve been tossing and turning and it would’ve been great.

“There is an acting gene in our family, it’s not just my nieces.”

Mara alluded to Kate Mara and Rooney Mara, respected actresses that bear his surname.

Barkley eclipsed 2,000 yards in Week 17, but he was held out of Week 18’s contest against the Giants. New York lost, 20-13, as Philadelphia rested its starters ahead of a potential Super Bowl run. History would not be made against Barkley’s former team, as ironic as it may have been.

Mara was in good spirits after Monday’s news, even if certain comments suggested a playoff mandate was waiting for the Giants at the start of next season. With an offseason of major moves quickly approaching, all that’s left to do is root against Barkley’s Eagles. They’ll play host to the Green Bay Packers on Sunday.