Former New York Giants owner Wellington Mara once coined the phrase, “Once a Giant, always a Giant.” Former Giants quarterback Eli Manning added an addendum during his retirement speech when he famously said, “Only a Giant.” Two years ago, much of the fan base hoped that would be the case for Saquon Barkley... but it wasn’t.
After spending the first six seasons of his career with the Giants, Barkley bolted down the turnpike and signed with the Philadelphia Eagles in March of 2024. The former fan favorite turned rival had one of the most historic seasons in league history, culminating in a Super Bowl win, a Madden 26 cover appearance, and a massive contract extension. When Barkley returns to face his former team in Week 6 on Thursday Night Football, there will be no shortage of eyes watching on Amazon Prime.
The upcoming Saquon documentary will air the same night on the streaming service as the game between the two NFC East rivals. While on the ManningCast with Peyton Manning and his former Giants teammate, Eli jokingly asked about Barkley switching sides at halftime. The now-Eagles star replied that he probably wasn’t welcome back and wasn’t sure if the “Once a Giant, always a Giant” line still applied to him.
Saquon Barkley isn’t sure the Giants' motto still fits
Maybe it’s because the rivalry is still fresh, but Barkley isn’t the only former Giant to join a division foe. Giants legend and current WFAN analyst Carl Banks once signed with Washington. Mark Bavaro, like Saquon, also had a stint with the Eagles, as did another of Manning’s Super Bowl-winning teammates, Steve Smith.
Even though Barkley left for the enemy in free agency, the organization still acknowledged him when it ranked him No. 95 on the franchise’s list of all-time players, an honor announced months after his departure to Philadelphia. Despite how things ended between the two sides, the former No. 2 overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft was gracious for the recognition.
Given how the 2024 season went and how the start of the 2025 season has gone for the Giants, there are likely many fans out there who still wish Barkley had remained on the team and signed a long-term deal to stay. But instead, they’ll continue having to watch him succeed with the enemy, which may very well happen at MetLife Stadium on that October night, then reminisce about his years with the team during the documentary airing that same evening.
Given how Barkley plays that night and how the fans are feeling, the “Once a Giant, always a Giant” mantra may really be put to the test.