Philadelphia Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni. Kim Klement Neitzel-USA TODAY Sports

Eagles HC Nick Sirianni admits he trolls Giants fans about Saquon Barkley

By Michael Gallagher | Last updated Jun 4, 2024 6:56 PM ET

The Philadelphia Eagles-New York Giants’ rivalry isn’t exactly short on bulletin-board material, but Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni provided exactly that this week.

The fourth-year HC admitted to reporters during mandatory minicamp on Tuesday that when he gets heckled by any of the Giants fans in the Philly area, he has a zinger locked and loaded to fire back their way.

“I’m really happy that Saquon (Barkley), that No. 26 is on our side,” Sirianni said at his news conference. “Sometimes you see Giants fans around here, being so close, and they give me a good, ‘Hey, go Giants.’ I typically let it go, but if the [fan] gets me good enough, I usually say, ‘You know, we got your best player.’”

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A post shared by Saquon Barkley (@saquon)

Barkley signed a three-year, $37.75 million contract with the Eagles in the offseason. He spent the first six years of his career with the Giants, rushing for 5,211 yards and 35 touchdowns while adding 288 receptions, 2,100 yards and 12 more scores through the air.

The 27-year-old RB ranks fourth all-time in Giants history in rushing yards, sixth in rushing touchdowns and seventh in yards from scrimmage (7,311), and he became the fastest player in team history to reach 5,000 career rushing yards.

In 10 career games against the Eagles, Barkley rushed for 676 yards and six touchdowns while contributing 36 receptions, 234 yards and another TD out of the backfield.

With Barkley out of the picture, the Giants are expected to employ a running back-by-committee approach with Devin Singletary (898 yards, four TDs in 2023 with the Texans), second-year back Eric Gray and 2024 fifth-rounder Tyrone Tracy.

Sirianni’s admission should come as a surprise to no one. He has a history of spirited interactions with fans. Just last year he was captured on video antagonizing Kansas City Chiefs fans as he entered the tunnel following the team’s 21-17 road win in Week 11.

Michael Gallagher

Michael Gallagher is a longtime sports journalist based out of Nashville with a decade of experience covering college football, mixed martial arts and prep sports plus the NFL and NHL — specifically the Tennessee Titans and Nashville Predators. He’s covered several notable sporting events including an AFC Championship game, a Stanley Cup Final, an NHL All-Star Game and an NHL Stadium Series. Some of his past bylines can be found at the Nashville Scene, SB Nation, The Hockey News and Fox Sports Knoxville

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