For years, Saquon Barkley represented the New York Giants with pride.
Now, he’ll get to face them twice a year as he joined their divisional foes, the Philadelphia Eagles.
Needless to say, that’s the kind of controversial decision that could prompt plenty of criticism and even backlash from the fan base.
Joining the Eagles, of all teams, seemed like a petty move by the Penn State product.
However, context matters, and the Giants did absolutely everything they could to disrespect him and let him go.
That’s why ESPN analyst Mike Greenberg didn’t want to hear any Giants fans calling him a traitor or anything.
Talking on ESPN Radio, he reminded everyone that Barkley spent almost two years begging the Giants to meet him halfway and get a deal done to be a Giant for life.
“I don’t know what to tell you…he did everything right there,” Greenberg said.
.@Espngreeny with a message for Giants fans calling Saquon Barkley a traitor:
“I don’t know what to tell you…he did everything right there.” 👊 pic.twitter.com/KumTxeH0Ec
— ESPN Radio (@ESPNRadio) March 12, 2024
Greenberg reminded everyone that Barkley showed up last season when most players would’ve held out, hoping that the Giants would take this gesture into consideration when the time to negotiate a new deal came.
He argues that he can’t blame the Giants for not paying him, but he cannot blame him for going wherever he could get the most money either, especially considering how he learned the business side of the league because of the way the Giants treated him.
Barkley wanted to be a Giant for life; he made it loud and clear over and over.
So, if that’s not the case, don’t blame him, he held his end of the deal.
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