The 2024 NFL season has been nothing short of painful for New York Giants fans. With the team sitting at a miserable 2-8 and seemingly no end in sight to their struggles, it’s not just the losses that sting, it’s watching familiar faces thrive elsewhere.
Two of the NFC’s biggest contenders, the Philadelphia Eagles and the Green Bay Packers, are powered by former Giants standouts: Saquon Barkley and Xavier McKinney. These two players, once cornerstones of Big Blue, are now leading their new teams’ respective charges toward the postseason. Both are playing the best football of their careers, leaving Giants fans wondering what might have been.
As Giants fans endure another forgettable season, the presence of Barkley and McKinney on Super Bowl-caliber teams serves as a stark reminder of what New York could have had if these two stars had been re-signed.
Two former NY Giants leading their respective team's charges in the NFC
On ESPN's Get Up morning show, host Mike Greenberg asked, "Are the Eagles the biggest threat to the Lions getting to the Super Bowl for the first time?" Former NFL quarterback Dan Orlovsky said he believes they are, but he also mentioned two other teams, another one particularly interesting for Big Blue fans.
He said, "The Eagles are. But I don't think they're by themselves. I think Philadelphia matches well because the way their talent is on the perimeter, their athletic offensive line. But, I also think two other teams that I would say are capable of doing it, that I feel confident in that is one, Green Bay, and two, the Los Angeles Rams."
Who is the biggest threat to the Lions in the NFC: Eagles, Rams or Packers? 🤔@danorlovsky7 weighs in ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/njYYkqVxuA
— Get Up (@GetUpESPN) November 21, 2024
The immediacy of Orlovsky's response to Greenie's question is perhaps the most concerning part of the segment. The Eagles' offense is powered by Barkley, who's enjoying the best season of his career. He leads the league in rushing and looks every bit like the dominant running back Giants fans have come to expect. Interestingly, the second team Orlovsky mentioned—the Green Bay Packers—boasts former Giants standout safety Xavier McKinney, who's been their best defensive player.
It’s impossible to overlook the profound impact both players are having in their inaugural seasons with their respective new teams. McKinney holds the fourth-highest odds for Defensive Player of the Year, anchoring a top-10 scoring defense and contributing to the league’s third-highest turnover rate. Meanwhile, Barkley is the clear favorite for Offensive Player of the Year, spearheading the league’s top rushing offense.
Man, it sure would be nice if the Giants had players like that... oh, wait.
It wasn't too long ago (last offseason) New York had both players entering free agency. Instead of paying them both, Schoen decided to let them both walk. The thought was Barkley was washed, and McKinney was too expensive. New York would draft their replacements. And they did. They selected Tyrone Tracy in the fifth round and Tyler Nubin in the second.
While Barkley and McKinney are both having career years on Super Bowl-caliber teams, it’s hard not to wonder what life could have been like for the G-Men if they had been re-signed. Instead, Giants fans are left watching them dominate for other teams while trying to muster any excitement they can for yet another disappointing Giants season.