The New York Giants’ decision to let Saquon Barkley walk in free agency has haunted them all season, but it hit an embarrassing new level on Thursday Night Football.
Barkley, now an Eagle, dominated in Philadelphia’s 26-18 win over the Washington Commanders, racking up 146 rushing yards, 52 receiving yards, and two touchdowns. His electrifying performance had Eagles fans chanting, “Thank you, Giants!” during his postgame interview.
Meanwhile, the Giants, buried in a lost season, were forced to watch their former star solidify his MVP case while wearing a rival’s jersey.
When will Saquon Barkley stop tormenting NY Giants fans?
Barkley’s performance on Thursday was a masterclass in why the Giants made a colossal mistake letting him leave. He accounted for 198 yards from scrimmage, including a 39-yard dagger of a touchdown that put the game out of reach. Barkley’s two scores brought his season total to 12, and his league-leading 1,347 scrimmage yards make him the engine of an Eagles team now sitting atop the NFC East.
It wasn’t just the stats that hurt. It was the timing. With the Eagles’ passing game struggling and kicker Jake Elliott missing key field goals, Philadelphia needed Barkley to take over. He did just that, slicing through the Commanders’ defense with the kind of vision, speed, and explosiveness the Giants are desperately missing this year.
While Barkley made game-breaking plays in the fourth quarter, the Giants’ offense, ranked among the league’s worst, watched helplessly from home during their bye week.
The chants of “Thank you, Giants!” from Eagles fans during Barkley’s postgame interview were a brutal reminder of what New York let slip away. Barkley tried to focus on the game, but even he couldn’t suppress a smile.
#Eagles fans chanting “Thank you, Giants” during Saquon Barkley’s postgame interview on Amazon 💀
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) November 15, 2024
pic.twitter.com/yeDlFC1AzT
“I love it here,” Barkley told NFL Network after the game. “The city’s great. The culture here is amazing. But most importantly, we got the win.”
For Giants fans, that win stings more than most. Barkley, once the face of the franchise, is thriving with their biggest divisional rival. His success in Philadelphia isn’t just salt in the wound - it’s a glaring indictment of the front office’s inability to retain top talent or build around a generational player.
As Barkley continues to make his MVP case, the Giants are left to pick up the pieces of a disastrous season and face an offseason full of tough questions. If Thursday was any indication, one of those questions will be: How did they let this happen?