New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley (26) Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

Giants legend passionately warns Saquon Barkley not to join NFC East rival

By Victor Barbosa | Last updated 3/8/24

On Thursday, retired New York Giants Pro Bowl running back Tiki Barber strongly warned Saquon Barkley about potentially joining the rival Philadelphia Eagles this offseason.

"The fact that Saquon would even contemplate going to play for that team in Philadelphia is insulting to his Giant history and legacy," Barber said on WFAN. "Do not go to the Philadelphia Eagles, because if you do, that appreciation and respect and reverence that we all have for you Saquon, will be lost. It'll be gone."

.@TikiBarber has a warning for Saquon Barkley after rumors swirl of interest in playing for the Philadelphia Eagles pic.twitter.com/ZJVs7XIJNF
— WFAN Sports Radio (@WFAN660) March 7, 2024

It was reported on Thursday that Barkley and the Eagles had a mutual interest.

The Giants decided earlier this week not to place the franchise tag on the 27-year-old, making him the latest star running back to enter free agency.

Barkley was born in the Bronx but moved to eastern Pennsylvania during his childhood. He suited up for Penn State for three seasons from 2015-17, winning two Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year awards and was selected by New York with the second overall pick in 2018.

Barkley earned his first Pro Bowl honor and won the AP Offensive Rookie of the Year Award after recording 261 rushing attempts for 1,307 yards and a career-best 11 touchdowns. He also added career highs in targets (121), receptions (91), receiving yards (721) and yards from scrimmage (league-leading 2,028) while adding four scores through the air.

Before he arrived in 2018, the Giants had not had a 1,000-yard rusher since 2012, and only three players surpassed the benchmark between Barber's final season (2006) and Barkley's rookie campaign.

Brandon Jacobs recorded 1,009 rushing yards in the team's Super Bowl-winning 2007 season and both Jacobs (1,089) and Derrick Ward (1,025) surpassed the number in 2008. Ahmad Bradshaw had 1,235 rushing yards in 2010 and 1,015 on the ground in 2012.

Pro Bowler D'Andre Swift is entering free agency after leading Eagles running backs last season, leaving an opening in Philadelphia's backfield.

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