The Super Bowl is just a little over a week away. The Philadelphia Eagles will look to snap a Kansas City Chiefs Super Bowl three-peat. It's quite a daunting task, and in order to do so, they'll need another big game from their MVP and Offensive Player of the Year finalist: former New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley.
For those living under a rock, Barkley has been a revelation since arriving in Philly. After his infamous departure from the Giants, he’s made sure to rub it in every chance he gets. From trolling the front office with lullaby commercials to his performances on the field, Barkley’s presence in the NFC East has been a nightmare for Big Blue.
But while fans are still processing the heartbreak of watching him play better than he ever has in Kelly Green, the last thing they want is to hear about it nonstop during the Super Bowl broadcast.
Unfortunately, if Kevin Burkhardt and Tom Brady’s NFC Championship Game shenanigans are any indication, that’s exactly what could be in store.
Tiki Barber says Tom Brady and Kevin Burkhardt would be 'tone-deaf' to keep dragging on about the Saquon Barkley-Giants saga
During the NFCCG, Kevin Burkhardt joked that “Giants fans may have a tough time sleeping going forward,” referencing owner John Mara’s infamous Hard Knocks comment, Brady piled on with, “Giant mistake letting him go.”
Giants fans, fed up with being the punchline, weren’t amused. The team has been dragged all season for letting Barkley walk, but hearing it from Brady was especially aggravating. It was a mild troll and wasn't beaten to death, but still felt a bit stale. Barber wasn’t having it either, calling out Brady and Burkhardt ahead of the Super Bowl:
“None,” Barber said bluntly when asked how many times the Giants should be referenced during the broadcast. “I think it’s been played out and if they are anything other than tone-deaf, they will get it.”
Will Tom Brady and Kevin Burkhardt mock the Giants for letting Saquon Barkley go again in the Super Bowl? https://t.co/4KFA19WjqN pic.twitter.com/f8HHsBXrOK
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) January 29, 2025
He’s right. The general manager, Joe Schoen, and the Giants absolutely fumbled the Barkley situation, but it’s old news. If Brady and Burkhardt need fresh material, there’s plenty—harping on the Barkley saga isn't anything new. There are plenty more storylines to chase. This isn’t the first time Barber has checked Brady. Earlier in the season, Brady offered an out-of-touch take on Daniel Jones’ departure, saying:
“I don’t know how that whole situation went down. But to think that you’d ask for a release from a team that committed a lot to you is maybe different from how I would’ve handled that.”
Barber quickly shut that down on WFAN:
“I don’t think Tom is privy enough to the information he needs to be to have that conversation about Daniel Jones. It’s just wrong of Tom.”
Brady’s transition to the booth has been rocky, and his growing role as an NFL owner raises fair questions about his impartiality. He’s no longer just a retired player—he has a vested interest in shaping narratives. If he’s taking uninformed jabs at the Giants, what’s stopping him from doing the same elsewhere?
At the end of the day, Giants fans don’t need a pity party. They know Barkley’s success in Philly hurts and cuts deep, like way deep, and they know unforgivable mistakes were made. But the last thing they, or really any football fan, needs is Brady and Burkhardt talking about a 3-14 team coming off its worst season in franchise history during the Super Bowl. They aren't a part of it and frankly shouldn't be.
Call it what it was (arguably the worst decision in franchise history) and move on. No need to dwell on the past, especially when the G-Men aren't remotely relevant to the Super Bowl.