The 2024 NFL schedule isn't even out yet and there are already two games NY Giants fans can't wait for: the showdowns against the Philadelphia Eagles. These two teams don't like one another and the rivalry has only been made more interesting thanks to Saquon Barkley.
Barkley, a two-time Pro Bowler with the Giants, broke countless hearts in East Rutherford this offseason when he signed a three-year deal with the Eagles. Giants Nation is pretty dang angry, collectively, and they'll let him have it once he returns to MetLife Stadium. Having said all of that, NFL.com has taken a look at the top revenge games for next year, and NY vs. Philly is surely on the list.
Giants fans remain quite furious with Saquon Barkley for signing with the Eagles
" I understand that it’s disturbing for some to think of Saquon in an Eagles uniform, and that Giants fans will be upset when he has a Christian McCaffrey-like impact with their division rival. But dude is from Allentown, Pennsylvania, (fine, Whitehall Township) and should be allowed to go home. Plus, folks should blame the team that didn’t want to pay Saquon before getting mad at the player himself. "NFL.com's Adam Rank
Barkley signed a three-year, $37.75 million deal with the Eagles. There was no way the Giants and Joe Schoen were going to put that kind of money on the table. We get it, Saquon took the best offer he could get. Still, there's something about signing with the enemy that doesn't sit right.
Barkley spent six seasons with the Giants, with NY reaching the postseason just once, in 2022. Barkley played a huge role in that team getting back to the playoffs, but he took a step back in 2023 due to a high-ankle sprain.
With his injury history, Schoen didn't want to invest a ton of money in him, especially with NY needing to improve the pass-rush and offensive line. Schoen did just that by trading for Brian Burns and signing Jon Runyan Jr. and Jermaine Eluemunor, plus others. Saquon and NY parting ways seemed likely, but that doesn't mean the news still didn't hurt. When he plays against the Giants in New Jersey, Big Blue supporters will probably shower him with boo birds, but Barkley will want to make Schoen look foolish for not extending him when he had the chance to as well.