With the NY Giants edition of Hard Knocks taking center stage this summer, we're getting a behind-the-scenes look at how things went down for Joe Schoen and Co. Of course, a major topic of conversation has been the negotiations with running back Saquon Barkley.
In Episode 2, things ended with Schoen telling Barkley he could hit the open market. Everyone now knows he signed with the Eagles. According to Ryan Dunleavy, owner John Mara was doing everything in his power to try and keep Barkley around.
This included telling Schoen to pay No. 26 what he wanted. In the end, though, Schoen decided to use the money for other resources and Barkley is now getting ready for his first year with the enemy.
I dont know what #HardKnocks will show tonight but my reporting then and now …
— Ryan Dunleavy (@rydunleavy) July 16, 2024
Joe Schoen was told exactly what numbers would keep Saquon Barkley with #Giants. He relayed them to others. John Mara wanted to pay it, especially when he heard it was the #Eagles. Joe did not think… pic.twitter.com/8FG0skbx8C
John Mara didn't want to let Saquon Barkley leave the Giants this offseason
Mara never wanted to see Barkley suit up for another team, especially not the Eagles. However, he never got in the way of Schoen and let his general manager make the decision that he thought would be best for the organization in 2024 and beyond.
The Eagles gave Barkley $26 million in guaranteed money, with him having the ability to earn up to $37.75 million in his three-year contract. Per Dunleavy, the Giants and Schoen offered him $22 million guaranteed in the summer of 2023, but Barkley held out for more money.
Barkley played the '23 campaign on the non-exclusive franchise tag, something he wasn't happy about. Schoen didn't tag Barkley again this offseason, instead allowing him to hit free agency and look for his best deal. The Giants could have broken the bank to keep him, but Schoen had other ideas.
It's still a tough pill to swallow, but people in East Rutherford are going to have to get used to seeing Barkley make plays for the Eagles. As for Schoen, people keep calling him out for letting Barkley walk, but it feels like it was the best call for both sides to part ways. The former No. 2 overall pick meant so much to the organization for six years, and clearly Mara will always have a ton of love for him.