This Sunday marks a highly anticipated return for Saquon Barkley to MetLife Stadium, but this time, he’ll be wearing the colors of the New York Giants’ biggest rival, the Philadelphia Eagles. For the first time in his career, Barkley, who was the No. 2 overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, will face the Giants as an opponent after spending six seasons with the team that drafted him.
Barkley’s decision to join the Eagles in free agency earlier this year shocked many fans and left a lingering debate about whether the Giants should have done more to keep their star running back. With emotions running high, Sunday’s game at MetLife Stadium will be the first chance for Giants fans to express how they feel about Barkley’s departure, and the reception might not be a warm one.
Despite the potential for a hostile crowd, Barkley is surprisingly optimistic about how Giants fans will greet him upon his return. Speaking to reporters ahead of the Week 6 matchup, the two-time Pro Bowler dismissed the idea that he would be booed by his former fanbase.
“Maybe I’m naive, but I think it’s over. That chapter’s closed,” Barkley said in an interview with ESPN. “I truly don’t care no more, and I’m pretty sure fans don’t care no more.”
While Barkley may have moved on, it’s unlikely the Giants faithful feel the same way. The circumstances of his exit and his subsequent decision to sign with their division rival Eagles are still fresh in the minds of New York fans. The return of a beloved player who now wears the colors of a bitter rival is bound to stir up strong emotions, and it wouldn’t be surprising if Barkley is met with a chorus of boos when he takes the field.
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Still, Barkley seems to have made peace with his move to Philadelphia, and his focus is now on helping his new team maintain their impressive start to the season. Through the Eagles’ first five games, Barkley has been a key contributor, rushing for 482 yards and five touchdowns. His performance has reinforced why he remains one of the league’s premier running backs, even if he is now playing for the Giants’ archrival.
While the fans might feel betrayed, it seems there is less animosity between Barkley and his former teammates. Barkley revealed that he still keeps in touch with several of his former Giants comrades, including quarterback Daniel Jones. The two have remained close, and Jones confirmed that they “talk frequently.” Barkley even texted Jones to congratulate him on his standout performance in the Giants’ Week 3 win over the Cleveland Browns.
“It is a little different,” Jones admitted when asked about facing his former teammate. “Just used to being on the field with him, seeing him in Giants colors. So yeah, seeing him in an Eagles uniform for the first time was a little bit different for sure.”
Despite their friendship, Jones and the Giants will be focused on stopping Barkley when the game kicks off. The Giants’ defense will face the tough challenge of containing a player they know all too well, as Barkley looks to make his mark in his return to MetLife, this time with the Eagles.
With kickoff scheduled for 1 p.m. ET on Sunday, all eyes will be on how Barkley is received by the fans who once cheered him on and how he performs against his former team. Regardless of the reaction from the stands, Barkley’s return to New York is sure to add another layer of intrigue to one of the NFL’s most storied rivalries.
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